Farm tragedy family 'buoyed' by support

Published Monday, 17 September 2012
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Messages of sympathy from both close to home and around the world are helping to support the Spence family who lost three loved ones to a farm accident in Co Down, their pastor has told UTV.

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    Nevin Spence, rising star

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Ulster Rugby star Nevin Spence, 22, his 58-year-old father Noel and 30-year-old brother Graham died in a slurry pit tragedy at the family farm on the Drumlough Road in Hillsborough on Saturday.

"There's been such a lot of expression of goodwill for the family - from as far away as New Zealand," Rev Rodney Stout said.

"All the bereaved are very courageous, very brave. It's a tribute to their Christian faith that has actually given them great hope and stability."

One person survived the tragedy - Nevin's older sister Emma. She was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where she was treated for inhalation of fumes. She has since been discharged.

"She still has a little bit of physical recovery to do, but she's very buoyant in her faith and looking to that as a source of strength," Rev Stout added, having spoken to her.

Fondly remembering those who lost their lives, the pastor paid tribute to them as "three incredibly good men" and said it was still hard to take in what had happened.

They've left an incredible epitaph just by how they lived.

Rev Rodney Stout

At Ravenhill, the home of Ulster Rugby, a book of condolence has been opened in memory of Nevin and his family.

The rugby ground will remain open from 9am-5pm every day this week for those wishing to express their sympathy, with many people already adding to the tributes.

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have expressed their deep sadness over the tragedy, while former First Minister Ian Paisley was also among those who signed the book of condolence on Monday.

The long-time Free Presbyterian moderator said that he knew the Spence family and added: "It touched me, it really shook me.

"It's a warning to us all - we're not here forever, we're travelling home."

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and new Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers both visited Ravenhill to pay their respects.

Meanwhile, at Stormont, MLAs added their expressions of shock and sadness.

DUP Health Minister Edwin Poots, who has known the family for 30 years, fought back tears as he spoke about the losses.

He said the tragedy had thrown the family into grief and stunned friends and neighbours of a family who had farmed their land at Hillsborough for five generations.

Sinn Féin Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said she could only imagine the impact of such a huge tragedy on the Spence family.

She extended her condolences, and raised the need to prioritise farm safety to tackle the dangers faced by those working in the industry.

The three men were very close to each other in life, and that love was expressed in their final moments trying to help one another.

Spence family

Speakers also recalled the death of Fermanagh Gaelic footballer Brian Óg Maguire in an accident at his workplace in Derrylin.

He died only days before fellow sportsman Nevin Spence lost his life in the farming tragedy.

Nevin was already a star of the Ulster Rugby team and was tipped to have a glittering international career ahead of him.His sporting colleagues have been left shaken by news of the tragedy.

The exact circumstances of the three tragic deaths are not yet known, but the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland is investigating.

A spokesperson said: "HSENI's investigation team is continuing to quickly build up a very detailed picture of events surrounding the tragic accident and can confirm that it is focusing on one particular line of enquiry."

According to Ulster Rugby, a memorial service will be held at Ravenhill on Sunday 23 September at 3pm. More details will be announced in due course.

© UTV News
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30 Comments
DENNIS MURPHY in TTOBERMORE CO LONDONDERRY wrote (247 days ago):
ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION AND MEMBERS OF TOBERMORE BAPTIST CHURCH WE WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE THE SPENCE FAMILY OFF OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. WE ARE PRAYING THAT THE GOOD SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP WHO LOVES YOU AND CARES FOR YOU WILL AS PSALM 28V9 PROMISES CARRY ALL THE FAMILY IN HIS STRONG AND LOVING ARMS. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL TESTIMONY YOU HAVE BEEN TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND WE KNOW THAT GOD WILL USE THE GOING HOME OF OUR DEAR BROTHERS FOR HIS GLORY. EMMA THANK YOU FOR THE HEART RENDING TRIBUTE YOU SHARED WITH SO MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD CONCERNING YOUR DAD AND BROTHERS. MAY GOD RICHLY BLEES YOU ALL. IN CHRIST DENNIS AND PAUL MURPHY (PASTORS)TOBEMORE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Breslin Family in Derry wrote (247 days ago):
From one family to another,we offer our deepest of condolences to you all on the loss of Graham,Noel and Nevin.You are in our thoughts and our prayers and may God be with you in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.Good and decent men gone too soon from this earth.XOX
lucia donnelly in Enniskillen wrote (247 days ago):
The thoughts of my entire family are with The Spence family, we dont know you but this tragedy would strike a note in any family and how things can happen so quickly, heart breaking, theres no words l can say that will make it easier to cope with but l know God will have you all in his arms, comforting you through this. I would also like to extend wishes to Emma, a very brave young lady who did everything in her power to save her family, her Dad and brothers would be very proud of her,may they rest in peace x
C Rodgers in Lisburn wrote (248 days ago):
Sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the Spence family. My son was involved in a similar incident on a farm last year, but he wasvery, very lucky and he survived, although the two men he tried to save both died. He was treated at a hospital in London for burns to his eyes and face, but the shock of his colleagues deaths is with him still. These horrofic accidents are happening quite often and something needs to be done very urgently to stop this. Surely in this day and age there must be a better and safer way to store and deliver slurry? My son now carries a bleeper that warns him when the fumes are getting to a dangerous level, but much more than this needs to be done to save the lives of men in the future who are going to die, if we don't do something now to prevent more tragedies from happening.
Seámus McKernan in Kildare Town wrote (248 days ago):
Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Noel,Graham,Nevin Spence.With special prayers at this time for Emma and Mrs Spence Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
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