Rugby star, dad, brother die in slurry pit

Ulster rugby star Nevin Spence, his brother and father died when overcome in a slurry tank on their Northern Ireland farm, family members said. The tragic accident began Saturday night at the family's farm in Hillsborough when the 52-year-old father fell in while trying to rescue the family dog, the Belfast Telegraph reported. Also killed was Graham Spence, the 30-year-old married father of two children, the newspaper said. One of the sons' sisters, Emma, was overcome by the fumes but was recovering at a Belfast hospital where she was listed as stable. Another sister, Laura, wasn't at home at the time of the accident. Relatives said in a statement released by the family's pastor that the victims' extended family was trying to "come to terms with their tragic loss." "The three men were very close to each other in life, and that love was expressed in their final moments trying to help one another," they said. David Humphreys, director of professional rugby at the Ulster club, said Nevin Spence had "huge potential." Shane Logan, chief executive of Ulster Rugby, called Spence "an exceptional young man," the BBC reported. "A man of absolute integrity, complete determination, great humility, a fine team player and an all-round exceptional individual," Logan said. The Mirror reported other rugby stars were communicating their sense of loss, as well. "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Nevin Spence. A tragic loss. A class act on the field," Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams said. New Zealand rugby World Cup winner Dan Carter tweeted: "Such sad news. My thoughts go out to his family."