An eight-year-old boy who died in a slurry tank accident on 7 June was overcome by slurry gases, it has been reported.
Robert Christie and his 52-year-old father were helping out on a farm in Dunloy, County Antrim, near their own farm when they were both overcome by the poisonous fumes as they were mixing the slurry.
It is understood they were found by a postman on Saturday afternoon. Robert Christie’s father, Bertie, remains critically ill.
Robert was airlifted to hospital in Belfast, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him.
Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) is investigating the incident.
Keith Morrison, HSENI chief executive said: “Incidents like this show starkly the dangers which our farming communities face and my heart goes out to those affected by this tragic accident.
“The facts tell us that farming is our most dangerous industry, and that is why members of the Farm Safety Partnership — government and the farming industry together — will continue to work every day to try to avoid these tragic events occurring.”
A police spokesperson said: “At the request of family members, police will not be releasing any further details at this time.”
Barclay Bell, deputy president of the Ulster Farmers Union said dangerous gases build up in the slurry tanks.
“It’s really a tank for holding all the waste products from animals produced during the winter time,” he said.
“It stays in these tanks maybe for a number of months and a lethal combination of gases build up, including methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and worst of all, probably, hydrogen sulphide.”
Robert Christie’s death is the latest in a long line of fatal accidents involving slurry tanks on Northern Ireland’s farms.
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RIP – and wish the father a speedy recovery
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