This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19636136
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Spence farming tragedy: Hundreds attending funerals | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of people are attending the funerals of three members of one family, who died in a farming accident in County Down. | |
| Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, 22; his brother Graham, 30, and father Noel, 58, were overcome by slurry gas at their family farm on Saturday. | Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, 22; his brother Graham, 30, and father Noel, 58, were overcome by slurry gas at their family farm on Saturday. |
| A thanksgiving service is taking place at Ballynahinch Baptist Church, followed by burial at Inch Cemetery. | |
| Among the mourners are figures from the farming and sporting communities. | |
| They include the President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, Harry Sinclair, and the entire Ulster rugby team. | |
| Nevin's coffin, which was draped in his team jersey, was carried into the church by six of his team-mates. | |
| Former Ireland international rugby player Trevor Ringland is also at the church. | |
| Mourners have been given blank cards in the church in order to write personal messages to the Spence family, to act as a "lasting testimony" to the three men. | |
| A number of politicians are attending the service, including SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt and the DUP ministers Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots. | |
| The accident at the farm on Drumlough Road in Hillsborough is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). | The accident at the farm on Drumlough Road in Hillsborough is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). |
| Nevin Spence was considered to be one of the up-and-coming stars of the Ulster rugby team and tributes have been paid by fans, players and politicians. | |
| A book of condolence has been opened at Ravenhill rugby ground in east Belfast, and Ulster's Pro12 match against Italian club Zebre on Friday has been postponed as a mark of respect to the Spence family. | A book of condolence has been opened at Ravenhill rugby ground in east Belfast, and Ulster's Pro12 match against Italian club Zebre on Friday has been postponed as a mark of respect to the Spence family. |
| A private service for the three men took place at the family home on Wednesday morning, before the cortege travelled via Hillsborough-Annahilt to the church in Ballynahinch. | A private service for the three men took place at the family home on Wednesday morning, before the cortege travelled via Hillsborough-Annahilt to the church in Ballynahinch. |
| The family said the men had died while trying to save each other. | |
| Motorists are warned of traffic disruption until about 16:00 BST. | Motorists are warned of traffic disruption until about 16:00 BST. |
| The routes affected are: | The routes affected are: |
|
|
| The car park of Ballynahinch Baptist Church has been reserved for the Spence family cars, disabled parking and VIP visitors. | The car park of Ballynahinch Baptist Church has been reserved for the Spence family cars, disabled parking and VIP visitors. |
| The new playing fields at Ballynahinch High School are open for parking. | The new playing fields at Ballynahinch High School are open for parking. |
| Alternative parking is available at: | Alternative parking is available at: |
|
|