The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that a man in his 70s has died in a “farm incident”.
The PSNI said the incident took place in the Cullyrammer Road area of Garvagh, Co. Derry.
Two other men were also injured during the incident which happened this morning (Thursday, May 16).
According to Richard Holmes, who is an Ulster Unionist councillor for the Bann district electoral area, the incident has caused widespread shock in a close, farming community.
Cllr Holmes told Agriland: “Everyone is shocked and saddened by this.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved in this incident and the community will rally around and provide support following this sudden and shocking incident today.
“But it has been very distressing and upsetting for the community and for the families of all involved.”
PSNI
The PSNI has said that the death of the man in his 70s is not being treated as suspicious at this time.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service dispatched three emergency crews to the scene of the incident in Co. Derry and the two injured men were taken to hospital, one of the men involved is understood to have a broken leg.
“Officers will provide assistance to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSENI) investigation,” the police service said.
HSENI
Separately last month two men were taken to hospital for treatment following an incident involving slurry gas on a farm in Co. Antrim.
The HSENI confirmed that it had been notified on Sunday, April 21 of a near miss incident involving slurry gas.
The HSENI said: “The farmers concerned were extremely fortunate and thankfully came away from the incident with their lives”
It outlined that the “root causes” of the incident were that the day was warm, dry and calm with little wind to disperse the slurry gas and the farmers leaving livestock in the shed while agitating.
The HSENI also stated: “No-one wants to have an incident on their farm. If you leave livestock in the shed during slurry mixing you are potentially putting yourself and others at very serious risk of exposure.
“You need to look after yourself, your family, your farm and your livelihood”.