Two calves have died after they fell into a slurry tank at a farm in Carrickmore, Pomeroy, Co.Tyrone on Tuesday last, February 7.
Another calf who fell into the slurry tank was rescued and survived, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
Specialist animal rescue teams and firefighters used a gas monitor, slings, a grap pole and a telehandler to remove the two dead calves and the live one from the slurry tank.
Fire crews from Dungannon, Cookstown and Omagh stations attended the incident.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the Fire Service responded to a fire involving a shed with cattle inside at Tirwinny Road, Lack, Dromore, Co. Tyrone.
A statement from the Fire Service said that firefighters used a hosereel jet and a covering jet to put out the fire.
Sadly, however, a dog died in the incident and the cause of the fire appeared accidental. Fire crews from Dromore (Co. Tyrone), Irvinestown and Fintona stations attended the incident.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) advises that open slurry tanks should be protected by an unclimbable fence or wall at least 1.8m high, with locked gates.
It also advises:
- When the tank has to be emptied, consider having an adequately constructed access platform with safety rails.
- Covered or slatted tanks require access manholes that children cannot open easily. Fit a safety grid below the manhole to give secondary protection. All slurry tanks should be adequately fenced.
- Evacuate all livestock and make sure no person or animal is in or near the building.