Rising Irish Rugby Star Dies In Slurry Pit Accident

Nevin Spence, a 22-year old rugby player with a promising international career, died alongside his father and brother in a freak farm accident on Saturday evening.

Spence played at centre 42 times for Ulster, played for Ireland against the Barbarians last May and was named Young Player of the Year at the IRFU Players Association Awards last year.

It's believed his father Noel, 53, fell into the slurry tank at around 6pm on Saturday evening, and the two brothers died trying to rescue him.

Nevin's sister Emma was also treated in hospital after trying to go to their aid.

The Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland sent inspectors to the scene.

"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," it said.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Edwin Poots, who lives in the area, said it was a terrible tragedy for a family who were well respected and known as good neighbours.

Tributes poured in from the world of rugby, which was shocked by the sudden loss of one of its rising starts.

"Nevin was a wonderful player but also a wonderful person," Shane Logan, chief executive officer of Ulster Rugby, said on the team's website.

"He was well liked by everyone who knew him and his loss will be deeply felt by his teammates and everyone at Ulster Rugby."

"This is a very sad day for rugby, Nevin was a rising star for his province and his country. He will leave a lasting legacy with the rugby community in Ireland." said David Jordan, tournament director of the Pro12 league.

Irish Rugby Football Union president Billy Glynn said: "This is a terrible tragedy that has struck the Spence family and the thoughts of everybody in Irish Rugby are with them at this time.

"Nevin was an outstanding young player which was evident from his progression through the representative ranks and the game has been robbed of a very talented young man.

"On behalf of Irish Rugby, I would like to offer our heartfelt support to the family, friends and team-mates of Nevin during this difficult time."

Global stars of the sport also took to Twitter to express their condolences.

New Zealand rugby world cup winner Dan Carter tweeted: "Such sad news and my thoughts go out to his family."

Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams said on Twitter: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Nevin Spence. A tragic loss. A class act on the field also. RIP."

And there were tributes too from Ulster's other sporting heroes.

Rory McIllroy, golf's world No 1, wrote on his Twitter account: "Just heard the tragic news of Nevin Spence and his family. Makes you cherish every day you have on this Earth."

Former boxer McGuigan wrote: "Tragic news about Nevin Spence and his family, in County Down Northern Ireland. My deepest heart felt sympathy to his family."

Flowers, scarves and other tributes were being left at Ulster's Ravenhill ground in memory of Nevin Spence.

A book of condolence opened there on Monday morning and will remain open for supporters who want to leave tributes for the rest of the week.