Published Tuesday, 29 January 2013
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.
-
Farm death tragedy
-
Reaction
Are you in Northern Ireland?
1. Why is my postcode required?
We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm
you can access the video content via u.tv.
This is because some videos on u.tv
are only available in Northern Ireland.
Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.
If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.
2. Why am I directed to itv.com
or stv.tv when I try to view certain
clips?
The videos, which are not available on u.tv
to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).
We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.
If you think we've got your location wrong, then please
click here.
Need more help? Contact us
| • | If possible, mix on a windy day.
|
| • | Keep children away at all times.
|
| • | Take all animals out of the building before starting.
|
| • | Open all doors and windows.
|
| • | Use outside mixing points first.
|
| • | If slats are removed, cover exposed areas of the tank beside the pump/mixer to stop anything falling in.
|
| • | Start the pump/mixer and then stay out of the building for as long as possible - at least 30mins or longer.
|
| • | If you have to go into the building make sure that another adult, who knows what you are doing, stays outside and can get help if needed.
|
| • | If you have to re-enter the house to move/change the direction of the pump, then you need to leave the building as soon as this is done. Do not go back in for as long as possible - at least another 30mins or longer.
|
| • | Avoid naked flame, as slurry gas mixture is flammable.
|
| • | Do not stand close to the pump/exhaust of a vacuum tanker when it is being filled.
|
Northern Ireland's senior coroner has described the deaths of three members of the Spence family as the worst farming tragedy in recent times.
Speaking on the final day of the inquest into the triple tragedy on the family's Co Down farm, Coroner John Leckey called for greater awareness of the highly toxic fumes that slurry emits.
Ulster Rugby star Nevin Spence, 22, his 30-year-old brother Graham, and their father Noel, 58, died after they tried to rescue a dog from a slurry pit at the Hillsborough property in September.
Emma Rice dragged her father out of the pit with the help of her neighbours and tried to resuscitate him before going back in to try and rescue her brothers.
She was also overcome by poisonous gases and taken to Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment for the inhalation of fumes.
Mr Leckey found that Mr Spence and his two sons died of drowning and breathing in slurry.
He said he understood the catalyst for the tragedy was the desire to rescue the family's dog, but he stressed that farmers must be more aware of the danger of slurry.
Slurry emits the toxic gas hydrogen sulphide, which the coroner said, is like the extremely poisonous hydrogen cyanide.
"It's difficult to think of anything more dangerous - it's a killer," he said.
I have total admiration for everyone who joined together to try to rescue the three men - I have nothing but praise for the selflessness of their actions.
Coroner John Leckey
There is one fatality a month in Northern Ireland's farming community, which Mr Leckey described as a frightening statistic which would be regarded as unacceptable in any other industry.
He has also called for increased safety on farms to help prevent future tragedies.
On Monday, Emma Rice was questioned about the dangers of being close to the slurry pit, but she said: "When it comes to the love of your family, it doesn't matter."
Mr Leckey said her actions were "extremely brave".
Malcolm Downey from the Health and Safety Executive NI's Farm Safety Team said: "Farming is an extremely dangerous professional and the risks are very real.
"In Northern Ireland, we have experienced an unprecedented number of farm-related deaths in recent years, and, against this, HSENI and its Farm Safety Partners continue to work hard to ensure that everyone in the farming community will always put safety first."
Harry Sinclair from the Ulster Farmers' Union told UTV that, while there was an awareness of the risks involved in farming, there had previously been an 'it-will-never-happen-to-me' attitude.
"But there wasn't a farming family in Northern Ireland that the Spence tragedy didn't affect - and indeed, a lot wider than that, across the whole British Isles and among our counterparts south of the border as well," he said.
"There is that feeling out on the ground that there will be a change in attitude. And it's up to us to drive it and to encourage people to make changes."