Community stunned at Spence slurry pit tragedy
Team mates of a young rugby star killed in a farming tragedy alongside his brother and his father in Northern Ireland have said he was a wonderful sportsman and a wonderful person.
Twenty-two-year-old Nevin Spence, who played for Ulster Rugby and was a rising star in Ireland's international rugby scene, died alongside his family after they fell into a slurry tank.
Emergency services went to the family farm in Drumlough Road outside Hillsborough, Co Down, shortly after 6pm yesterday in response to reports that four people had fallen into the slurry pit.
Following a lengthy rescue operation it was confirmed that Nevin, his 30-year-old brother Graham and their 52-year-old father Noel, were killed.
Nevin's sister Emma, a well known artist, was taken to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment for the inhalation of fumes and her condition is described as stable.
DUP MLA Edwin Poots lives near the family and said the news is devastating.
Mr Poots said: "We are just flabberghasted at how this can happen.
"These were three of the strongest men and this just demonstrates the dangers of slurry pits."
Lives have been lost in the past in accidents at other farm slurry tanks, but the scale of the latest tragedy caused widespread shock.
Sports stars, fans of the young rugby player and friends of the family have paid tribute to Nevin and his bereaved relatives.
A member of the Stormont Assembly for the area Basil McCrea said the community was stunned by the loss of life.
“The entire community, whether it is the rugby fraternity, or the farming community, or just the wider local community, people have such empathy with the family,” he said.
But the Ulster Unionist representative said that in the face of such a major tragedy, people were lost for words.
“They just don’t know what to do or what to say.”
Investigations into the cause of the tragedy are ongoing but there are unconfirmed reports that family members may have been attempting to rescue a dog from the tank, before Nevin helped in the effort to save his relatives.
The Health and Safety Executive is to investigate the circumstances and establish a clearer picture of how the tragedy unfolded.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it responded to a 999 call at about 6.15pm following reports that at least three people had fallen into a slurry tank.
It said it immediately sent three rapid response paramedics, four accident and emergency vehicles and an ambulance service doctor to the scene.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended and rescued four people from the slurry pit.
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the men, and while one showed initial signs of responding to treatment, all three tragically died.
Nevin Spence was a member of the Ulster Rugby squad that reached the European Heineken cup final last season, and he was predicted to have a glittering international career ahead of him.
The former Wallace High School player was last year named Young Player of the Year at the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association Awards.
Ulster Rugby said: “It was with profound sadness that Ulster Rugby learned of the tragic death of Nevin Spence, a much loved and talented member of the Ulster squad.
“Ulster Rugby also wishes to express its deep sorrow at the death of Nevin’s father Noel and brother Graham.
“Nevin’s death at the age of just 22 has shocked the rugby community.
“Nevin Spence was a gifted young professional rugby player with an extremely bright future in the game.
“He made his debut for Ulster against the Ospreys in 2010 and represented Ulster on 42 occasions.
“His talent was recognised by his fellow professionals in 2011 when he was named Young Player of the Year at the Irish Rugby Football Union Players’ Association Awards.
“His last game was on Friday afternoon when he played for Ulster Ravens against Munster A.”
The young sports star had in the past spoken of the importance of his Christian faith.
He was also an avid user of social media and updated fans on his sports career and his farming work.
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