A FARMER who was killed in a slurry tanker accident in Co Londonderry at the weekend had consistently warned his sons against agricultural hazards and dangers.
Herbert (Herbie) Rosborough died after he was thrown from his tractor while spreading slurry near the family farm at Claggan, near Claudy, on Saturday afternoon.
It is believed the tractor and tanker toppled over after slipping on steep land.
The tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal accidents involving slurry tankers across Northern Ireland in recent years.
Mr Rosborough, who was 66 and a father-of-three, was airlifted to Altnagelvin Hospital where he died a short time later.
Speaking to the News Letter last night, Mr Rosborough’s son Ivan said his father knew “all too well” the dangers of farming.
“He was always warning us to be careful and watch ourselves if we were out working on the farm,” he said.
“My dad had been working on the land since he was a wee lad and he knew all too well the dangers of farming and about working on the steep land that we have here.”
Ivan, who rushed to the scene of the accident, said his father was still talking and didn’t appear to be in severe pain.
“He had spread a couple of loads earlier in the day, and then a fella came into the yard to tell us there had been an accident.
“We went straight up to the field where he was spreading the slurry. I could see him lying on the ground near the tractor.
“The tractor must’ve slipped on the steep hill and toppled over and threw him from the cab.
“I shouted down to him to see how he was, and he said his leg was sore, but that he was ok. He was never good with pain so he mustn’t have been too bad.”
Paramedics who arrived at the scene decided to call for a helicopter to airlift the stricken farmer to hospital.
“We didn’t think it was that serious. My dad was still chatting and scolding away when they got him into the helicopter.
“When we arrived up at the hospital, we were all taken into a room, where they told us he had passed away.
“They said there was nothing they could do to save him from the internal bleeding.
“It was just total disbelief, complete shock.”
He said he hoped his family’s tragic loss would serve as a reminder of the dangers to other farmers.
“Farming is the most dangerous occupation there is and I want anyone who reads about this to see how easily accidents can happen.
“Nobody knew the dangers of working on those hills better than him, but he took a bit of a chance on that field and he didn’t get away with it.”
The Ulster Farmers Union expressed sympathy to the Rosborough family.
Deputy President of the UFU, Harry Sinclair, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the news that a farmer from Claudy has lost his life in a farming accident and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
“Every fatality draws attention to the dangers of working on a farm and we would encourage farmers to step back and think safely on any farm job.”
Mr Rosborough is survived by his wife Noreen, sons Andrew and Ivan, daughter Sandra, as well as grandchildren James, Lily-Ann and Nadine.
A funeral service will be held at the family home tomorrow, before burial at Banagher Presbyterian Church.