A 10-year-old boy has died and his father is fighting for his life after they were overcome by slurry fumes, sources said.

The 51-year-old father and his son were working on a farm near Dunloy, Co Antrim, when the accident happened.

Emergency services attended the scene but were unable to save the boy.

The father is fighting for his life in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Ballymoney mayor John Finlay said: “There has been a tragic farm accident and I would like to say that the family are in my thoughts.

“The whole of the community here has been calling me to voice their concern for the family.”

The man and his son are thought to have been spreading slurry when the accident took place.

In September 2012, up and coming Ulster rugby star Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham died after entering a slurry tank.

The tragedy happened after Graham, 30, went into the tank in an attempt to rescue a dog at the family's farm outside Hillsborough, Co Down.

Nevin, 22, went in to assist his brother but also lost consciousness before 58-year-old Noel was killed trying to save his sons.

PA