TRIBUTES have flooded in for the Hanbury farmer who was killed when the tractor he was driving slipped into a slurry pit.

Barrie Heath, 72, of Park Hall Farm, reversed his tractor up to the slurry pit before tending to machinery on the back of the vehicle, last Friday at about 11am.

He was stood on the back of the tractor when the slurry gave way. The vehicle was dragged into the pit, taking Mr Heath with it.

His son Chris, who runs the hunting farm with his father, tried in vain to pull the vehicle out using another tractor.

It is also understood neighbouring farmers were quickly on the scene to offer their help.

Droitwich firefighters were called to the accident. However, their specialist equipment could only support the tractor and was not able to lift it out of the pit.

Chief firefighter Mark Strutt said: "This was not the kind of incident you could ever plan for."

Private contractor, Roger Dyson, of Kidderminster, with specialist lifting equipment, was called to the scene and spent almost two hours trying to pull the tractor out of the pit.

But Mr Heath was confirmed dead at about 1.30pm.

Firefighter Strutt later added: "His son did absolutely everything he could."

Mr Heath had been an active member of the Worcestershire Hunt, serving as master for six years in the early 1990s and later as a member of the committee.

Close friend and Worcestershire Hunt secretary, Ian Frank, spoke to the Advertiser/Messenger of the wonderful family man he knew.

"It is an absolute tragedy. Barrie was a very valued member of the hunt and a lovely friend to us all."

He added: "Barrie and his son Chris ran one of the very best hunting farms there is. He was a lovely chap with a wonderful family."

He leaves a wife, Anne, and two daughters, Shirley and Nicola, son Christopher and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are to be made.