15/11/2011

Northern Farmer In Slurry Tank Accident

The dangers of working on the farm are again in focus today after a fresh tragedy has left a Co Londonderry farmer dead.

The Ulster Unionist MLA Sandra Overend, has expressed her heartfelt sympathies to the victim's family and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned people to take extra precautions with slurry tanks following the death of the farmer.

An HSE spokesman said all openings into slurry tanks should be properly guarded.

"They should look to use safety slats when mixing in slurry tanks," he said.

"I would also draw attention to the dangers of gasses associated with mixing of slurry in the tanks," he said after it emerged yesterday that the official agency is investigating the man's death on a farm in Maghera.

Ms Overend, the MLA commented: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the news of untimely and tragic accident that took the life of Glenny Hyndman.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. I have known Glenny for a number of years to be a loving husband, father and grandfather.

"He always had a smile and some friendly words to share. He was well known and respected in the local community and this loss will be sorely felt.

"I have much admiration for farmers right across the country who are dedicated to their profession, come rain, hail or shine.

"It is all too easy to forget just how dangerous a profession farming actually is and it is sad that farm accidents have increased in number this year," she said.

(BMcC/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 March 2024
Call For Education On Violence Against Women And Girls
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has been challenged by the SDLP on the proposed introduction of mandatory education around violence against women and girls in schools.
25 September 2007
Man Dies In Farm Accident
An elderly man has been killed in an accident on a farm in County Westmeath. The incident happened on the man's own farm near Athlone yesterday. The man, who is believed to be in his 70s, became trapped in a slurry tank. Gardai are investigating the incident.
19 October 2007
Van Sought In Slurry Tank Murder Case
Gardaí investigating the murder of an English New Age traveller whose body was found in a slurry tank on a Cork farm last week have appealed for help in tracing a van. The van being sought is a red-coloured Ford Courier van, with the registration number 95 LK 3375.
12 October 2007
Murder Alert On Cork Slurry Tank Body
Garda divers are set to remove what is believed to be the body of a man found in a slurry tank on a farm in Cork on Thursday. The discovery was made on the farm at Shanlaragh in Dunmanaway on Thursday morning. The lane leading to the farm has been cordoned off. A technical examination of the scene was carried out by garda experts on Thursday night.
15 October 2007
Two Arrested In Cork Slurry Tank Death Probe
Detectives investigating the death of a man whose body was found in a slurry tank on a farm in Cork have arrested two men. The body of the man, named in reports as Gary Bull, was found on the farm in the Shanlaragh area of Dunmanway in Cork last Thursday. A post-mortem revealed that he died from head injuries.