Hero saves two before losing his own life in farm horror

A MAN in his 20s died in a farming accident after bravely rescuing his two co-workers from suffering the same fate.

The young man, named locally as Gary Askin, died after becoming trapped in a silo container on a mushroom farm in Emyvale, Co. Monaghan, shortly after 8pm on Wednesday.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Brian McKenna said Mr Askin pulled his brother, Stephen, and another worker from the container before becoming overwhelmed by fumes.

‘I believe Stephen was caught in the silo bin and he went to get him and another non-national who works on the farm. He released the two of them and, unfortunately, found that he was caught,’ Mr McKenna said.

‘When he was released, unfortunately it was too late. He couldn’t be resuscitated.

‘The fact that he gave his life trying to save other people, that’s just the unselfish nature of Gary. The family are hugely respected in this area.’

Mr Askin worked with Cornacrieve Mushrooms for a number of years and Mr McKenna said he was like family to the McGee family, who own the farm.

‘It’s just an awful loss and it’s an awful loss for the McGee family – and Gary was part of the McGee family. A great mushroom production facility there, they were a big happy family. Now the accident there has torn that all apart.

‘It’s unbelievable, that’s the only words you can use. A man dies so young with so much to look forward to in life. It’s desperate.’

The Health and Safety Authority has launched a joint investigation into the incident with the Garda Síochána.