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Spence farming tragedy: Hundreds attending funerals | Spence farming tragedy: Hundreds attending funerals |
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Hundreds of people are attending the funerals of three members of one family, who died in a farming accident in County Down. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
The clergyman leading the service described Noel as a committed Christian, a hard working man, "a very generous man, a man of true grit." | |
He said it would be "difficult to find a more hospitable neighbour or trustworthy businessman". | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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: |
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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: |
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