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Spence farm tragedy: Father and sons were best friends | Spence farm tragedy: Father and sons were best friends |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three members of the Spence family who died in a farming accident in County Down have been described at their funeral as "best friends". | |
Emma Rice was speaking during a service for her father Noel Spence, 58, and her brothers Ulster rugby player Nevin, 22 and Graham, 30. | |
They were overcome by slurry gas at their farm in Hillsborough on Saturday. | They were overcome by slurry gas at their farm in Hillsborough on Saturday. |
Among the mourners were figures from the farming and sporting communities. | Among the mourners were figures from the farming and sporting communities. |
Mrs Rice, who survived the accident, told mourners at Ballynahinch Baptist Church her father and brothers were "gentlemen". | |
"They were hardworking men. They were not perfect but they were genuine. They were best friends. | "They were hardworking men. They were not perfect but they were genuine. They were best friends. |
She said her brother, "wee Nev", was sarcastically nicknamed "the superstar" at home. | She said her brother, "wee Nev", was sarcastically nicknamed "the superstar" at home. |
"He's the one who did not love the limelight, but handled it like a pro," she said. | "He's the one who did not love the limelight, but handled it like a pro," she said. |
Emma said her older brother, Graham, "protected me as I grew up". | Emma said her older brother, Graham, "protected me as I grew up". |
Reverend Rodney Stout told mourners that Noel Spence had been a committed Christian, adding that he was "a very generous man, a man of true grit." | Reverend Rodney Stout told mourners that Noel Spence had been a committed Christian, adding that he was "a very generous man, a man of true grit." |
He said it would be "difficult to find a more hospitable neighbour or trustworthy businessman". | He said it would be "difficult to find a more hospitable neighbour or trustworthy businessman". |
Graham Spence was described as having left a "wonderful legacy of memories" for his family. | Graham Spence was described as having left a "wonderful legacy of memories" for his family. |
Rev Stout said Graham, like his father, was a "gentle giant" who "didn't do anything out of a showy or boastful way". | Rev Stout said Graham, like his father, was a "gentle giant" who "didn't do anything out of a showy or boastful way". |
Rev Stout said Graham was "unashamedly Nevin's biggest fan, and right behind his younger brother offering support". | Rev Stout said Graham was "unashamedly Nevin's biggest fan, and right behind his younger brother offering support". |
Nevin Spence was considered to be one of the up-and-coming stars of the Ulster rugby team. | Nevin Spence was considered to be one of the up-and-coming stars of the Ulster rugby team. |
A tribute was read out on behalf of the director of Ulster Rugby, David Humphreys. | A tribute was read out on behalf of the director of Ulster Rugby, David Humphreys. |
It said Nevin was "highly skilled and gifted, utterly committed to Ulster, determined to be the best that he could be". | It said Nevin was "highly skilled and gifted, utterly committed to Ulster, determined to be the best that he could be". |
Team jersey | Team jersey |
"I have no doubt he could have gone on to play for Ireland," said Mr Humphreys. | "I have no doubt he could have gone on to play for Ireland," said Mr Humphreys. |
The mourners included the President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, Harry Sinclair, and the entire Ulster rugby team. | The mourners included 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 was also present. | Former Ireland international rugby player Trevor Ringland was also present. |
A number of politicians attended 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 attended the service, including SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt and the DUP ministers Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots. |
Mourners were 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 were 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 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). |
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. | A private service for the three men took place at the family home on Wednesday morning. |
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. |