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Young Ulster Rugby Star Died Trying To Save Family

Ulster rugby star Nevin Spence died along with his brother and father after they tried to save each other from being killed in a slurry tank, heartbroken family members have said.

They were all overcome by gas after falling into the tank at the family's farm in Hillsborough, Co Down, on Saturday night.

The tragedy unfolded when the 22-year-old rugby player's father Noel, 52, fell in as he tried to rescue his pet dog.

Nevin's brother Graham, 30, who is married with two children, went to the aid of his father, but was overcome by fumes. Nevin and his sister Emma then tried to save both their father and brother.

All three men lost their lives. Two died at the scene and the third was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.

Emma Spence, an artist well known for her paintings of Ulster Rugby players, is being treated for fume inhalation. Her condition is described as stable.

Grieving family members said in a statement: "The families of Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence are trying very hard to come to terms with their tragic loss.

"The three men were very close to each other in life, and that love was expressed in their final moments trying to help one another."

 The statement, released by Rev Rodney Stout, senior pastor at Ballynahinch Baptist Church, added: "The family is being supported and comforted by other family members, friends and neighbours.

"Arrangements for a thanksgiving service for the three is currently under way and details will appear in the press in due course."

A book of condolence is to be opened later in Belfast for the young player.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is investigating the circumstances to establish a clear picture of how events unfolded.

It said: "From HSENI's initial investigations, it understands that the three family members who entered an underground slurry tank died from the effects of exposure to slurry gases.

"The exact sequence of events is not yet clear but HSENI is investigating a definite line of inquiry."

Three other people have died on Northern Ireland farms from slurry gas over the last 10 years.

 Presbyterian Moderator Dr Roy Patton said the scale of the latest tragedy had left everyone "in a state of bewilderment and shock".

He said each of the three men who died had touched the lives of many in sport, farming and church circles.

Nevin was already a star of the Ulster Rugby squad and was predicted to have a successful international career ahead of him.

He had made an impressive 43 appearances for Ulster. He had also played for Ireland's Under 20s and received a call up for last year's six nations.

At Ulster's home stadium of Ravenhill in Belfast his former colleagues said they were deeply saddened.

Chief executive of Ulster Rugby Shane Logan said: "Nevin was a wonderful player but also a wonderful person. He was well liked by everyone who knew him and his loss will be deeply felt by his teammates and everyone at Ulster Rugby.

"He will be sorely missed and the thoughts of everyone involved in the game are with his family at this time."

He described Nevin was "a man of absolute integrity, complete determination, great humility, a fine team player, and an all round exceptional individual".