Man dies in slurry tank accident on Dromore farm
An investigation is under way after a farmer died in a slurry accident in County Down.
The 43-year-old man had been working at a farm on the Redhill Road in Dromore when it's understood he fell into a slurry pit.
The accident happened at about 14:00 BST on Thursday.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the death. In January this year, the HSENI launched an initiative to try and cut farm deaths.
In 2011, a farmer was killed every month while working on a farm in Northern Ireland.
This year, HSENI staff visited farms and spoke directly to farmers and their families about their safety.
The average age of farmers killed in accidents last year was 57.
Accidents involved slurry tanks are one of the four main causes of farm deaths in Northern Ireland.
The others are unguarded machinery, handling livestock and falls when carrying out work at heights.
Malcolm Downey of the Health and Safety Executive said incidents involving slurry were always a concern.
"We would advise farmers to remove all livestock, mix slurry on a windy day so gases are cleared, ensure openings are closed and if someone has to go into the house to change a pump or do some work, make sure someone else is outside in case of an emergency," he said.