Heard on the news about the story of the farm accident. Can't put into words a desperate tragedy like this. There's no official confirmation but it looks like Ulster centre Nevin Spence is one of the deceased judging by comments all over the internet and on twitter. All so sad. Here's us complaining about the mistakes made in a rugby game today. Its all so irrelevant really after news like that.
Ian Humphreys@iHumph
Devastated to hear the news about Nevin Spence and his brother and dad. Prayers with all his family... RIP Nev, you'll never be forgotten...
Emergency crews were called to the scene on Drumlough Road outside the Co Down village after the alert was raised at 6pm.
But following a lengthy rescue operation police confirmed three men had died and a woman was taken to hospital for treatment.
An officer said: "The health and safety executive have been notified and will carry out an investigation in due course."
The men killed in the tragedy are believed to be two brothers and their father.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it responded to a 999 call at approximately 6.15pm following reports that at least three people had fallen into a slurry tank.
It said it immediately despatched three Rapid Response Paramedics, four Accident and Emergency vehicles and an ambulance service doctor to the scene.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service was also in attendance and pulled four people from the slurry pit.
A spokesman said: "Three were unconscious and NIAS paramedics commenced resuscitation efforts immediately assisted by other ambulance personnel.
"One of the four showed initial signs of responding to the efforts of the crews and was transported immediately to the nearby Lagan Valley Hospital, where unfortunately he died a short time later.
"Despite the best efforts of all involved the other two men died at the scene.
"A female was treated at the scene and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where she is recovering from the effects of fume inhalation."
The ambulance service said it extended its sympathies to those involved.
