ULSTER RUGBY IS reeling from the news that wing/centre Nevin Spence has died, along with his brother and his father, in an accident on a farm in County Down.
The tragedy took place at a slurry pit near Hillsborough, according to reports.
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The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service responded to a 999 call at approximately 6.15pm on Saturday after it was reported that at least three people had fallen into a slurry tank.
A woman was also injured in the incident.
“One of the four showed initial signs of responding to the efforts of the crews and was transported immediately to the nearby Lagan Valley Hospital, where unfortunately he died a short time later,” said a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
“Despite the best efforts of all involved the other two men died at the scene.
“A female was treated at the scene and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where she is recovering from the effects of fume inhalation.”
Spence had been recovering from injury so played no part in Ulster’s clash against Munster on Friday night, though he did start for the Ulster Ravens against Munster A earlier in the day.
The 22-year-old also trained with the Ireland 6 Nations squad earlier this year.
TheJournal.ie wishes to extend its sincerest sympathies to those closest to the Spence family.
Devastating news about the Spence family. Truly a mind numbing tragedy. Nevin was a fine player with so much potential and will be truly missed by the Irish rugby community.
Unbelievable news. I lost my father this week and it’s horrible but to think what the surviving spence family must be going thru I cannot imagine. May god give them the strength they will need. What a loss to the rugby world. He looked like a real player.
I have a pain in the pit of my stomach on hearing of this cruel, heart wrenching and tragic accident that has claimed the lives of these three men. Nevin Spence, a fine young Ulster player who would have been playing against Munster senior last Friday night were it not for an old injury, his brother and his father. Our thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Spence and to her daughter to whom I also hope makes a full recovery from any injuries received in this shocking accident. R.I.P
If there are carbon monoxide detectors for our homes, why then can there not be alarms available to fit slatted houses to detect the gasses the slurry emits when agitated. Surely this can be done.
Out of this horrific tragedy for this family please let something positive come out of it ( and I use the word positive cautiously in the same breath as tragedy). Please, let somebody take this idea on board and try and prevent another family go through the horrific loss such as this family has.
May you all be granted healing in you hearts, and courage and acceptance in the days and weeks to come.
Horrific accident and devastating for their family and friends, according to the HSA about 14% of farm accidents are due to drowning or to slurry gas poisoning Hydrogen sulphide gas at low concentrations smells like rotten eggs however at high levels cannot be detected by humans. One lungful of this toxic high concentration gas kills instantly and the instinct of co workers is to rush in to help is very likely to lead to greater tragedy. The gas builds up after a long period of storage in the manure and released when agitated it is heavier than air and concentrations remain high in tanks etc.
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Devastating news about the Spence family. Truly a mind numbing tragedy. Nevin was a fine player with so much potential and will be truly missed by the Irish rugby community.
I would
Kill the thumbs downers here
A huge loss to Ulster and Irish rugby and a desperate tragedy. Rest in peace.
Rip, devastating news
God bless the 3 of them . No words can describe this Terrible tragedy. Rip.
Not a rugby fan at all so didn’t know who Nevin was but a terrible tragedy may him his brother and father rest in peace.
Unbelievable news. I lost my father this week and it’s horrible but to think what the surviving spence family must be going thru I cannot imagine. May god give them the strength they will need. What a loss to the rugby world. He looked like a real player.
Sorry for your loss.
Such sad news. To lose one family member is horrific enough, let alone three. My condolences to the Spence’s family and friends.
My God, how sad.
That type of thing is just heart breaking and I dont say that easily.
I have a pain in the pit of my stomach on hearing of this cruel, heart wrenching and tragic accident that has claimed the lives of these three men. Nevin Spence, a fine young Ulster player who would have been playing against Munster senior last Friday night were it not for an old injury, his brother and his father. Our thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Spence and to her daughter to whom I also hope makes a full recovery from any injuries received in this shocking accident. R.I.P
This world is so cruel.
Saddened by this news, thoughts to the family. May they rest in peace.
Very sad rip
Rip condolences to the nevin family and all those who are grieving
Tragic, my thoughts are with the family & friends
Rabodirect cup, let’s make it the Nevin Spence cup. Tragic.
R.I.P
Truly upsetting for everyone evolved. Sympathies to all but Nevin was a real player with a real future. So sad again
If there are carbon monoxide detectors for our homes, why then can there not be alarms available to fit slatted houses to detect the gasses the slurry emits when agitated. Surely this can be done.
Out of this horrific tragedy for this family please let something positive come out of it ( and I use the word positive cautiously in the same breath as tragedy). Please, let somebody take this idea on board and try and prevent another family go through the horrific loss such as this family has.
May you all be granted healing in you hearts, and courage and acceptance in the days and weeks to come.
Terrible accident, and unnecessary loss of life. God bless those family members left to deal with the aftermath.
Horrific accident and devastating for their family and friends, according to the HSA about 14% of farm accidents are due to drowning or to slurry gas poisoning Hydrogen sulphide gas at low concentrations smells like rotten eggs however at high levels cannot be detected by humans. One lungful of this toxic high concentration gas kills instantly and the instinct of co workers is to rush in to help is very likely to lead to greater tragedy. The gas builds up after a long period of storage in the manure and released when agitated it is heavier than air and concentrations remain high in tanks etc.
Someone needs to take a look at these tanks and design some safety features to prevent this. These slurry pit accidents seem all too common.
R.I.P.
What a terrible accident for one family. Truely tragic. He was a fine rugby player who will be sorely missed.
Highlights ongoing dangers with farming.
May they Rest in Peace
oh my god this is beyond a tragedy…. awful sad. All my thoughts are with there family and friends.R.I.P.
Deepest sympathy.
No words ……RIP !!
So sad, prayers for all concerned, R.I.P
RIP
Terrible news. Rest in Peace.
there needs to be something done to make slurry tanks safe ,far too many deaths like this tragedy happen ,I am so very sorry for the family .
So sorry to hear such sad news
Tragic news to wake up too. I can’t imagine the pain the family are feeling. RIP father ansd son.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm !
A terrible loss. So very sorry for all the family and friends.
Horrific sad news,mind numbing grief,with thoughts and prayers. Bernadette.