RENEWED warnings have been issued about the dangers of slurry tanks after the deaths of three farmers from the same family, one of them a rising star in the Rugby world.

Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, 22, his brother Graham, 30, and his father Noel, 58, were killed after being overcome by poisonous fumes and falling into an underground slurry tank at the family farm in Co Down on Saturday, September 15.

Relatives said the men died trying to save each other.

The Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland (HSENI) has reiterated its advice to farmers that they should never enter tanks and only mix slurry in ventilated areas.

Jim King of HSENI said: “Our advice is never to go into slurry pits.

Only experienced contractors should enter them. Our advice to the average farmer is: don’t go in – ever.”

Mr King said he was aware of reports that the incident was triggered after a dog entered the tank, but said the exact sequence of events could only be confirmed after consulting eyewitnesses, including grieving family members.

Nevin and Graham’s sister Emma, who also inhaled fumes, was released from hospital the following day.

It is understood the three men had been mixing slurry from outside the tank throughout the day. They entered the tank at around 6pm. Mr King said: “They had been mixing and drawing slurry all day, we understand.

That brings a particular problem as the slurry levels go down – the space above the slurry becomes almost covered with an invisible mist of slurry gas which is mostly hydrogen sulphide.

“It is particularly poisonous and it has the effect that, in high concentrations, it knocks out your sense of smell and sense of taste and the gas can paralyse the respiratory system, rendering someone overcome, unconscious and dead within a very few minutes.”

Ulster Rugby’s next scheduled game was postponed as a mark of respect while a minute’s silence was held at all other RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures over the weekend. Books of condolences were opened at the home of Ulster Rugby at Ravenhill in east Belfast as supporters gravitated to the ground to pay their respects.