15.08.2023

Fatality at new stadium

A man died on a site in Liverpool, UK, yesterday, while using a scissor lift.
The incident occurred on the site of Everton Football Club’s new stadium, currently under construction at Bramley Moore Dock, Merseyside in Liverpool. The man, Michael Jones, 26, was apparently involved in some sort of entrapment or crushing incident while driving the lift from the platform, he suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to hospital by ambulance, but succumbed to his injuries not long after arriving.

A sad personal twist of fate, is that Jones was apparently an avid and lifelong Everton supporter, and was delighted, excited and honoured to be working on the new stadium.

The stadium's main contractor Laing O'Rourke said: “We can confirm that earlier today a member of our team, who was carrying out work for one of our sub-contractors, was seriously injured in an incident. He was taken to hospital via ambulance, where he sadly died. We are shocked and saddened by today’s tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased man and our wider project team.”

“The police and the Health & Safety Executive are on site, and we have suspended work at the site until further notice. We will co-operate fully with any investigation that follows.”

A statement from Everton Football Club said: "Everyone at Everton Football Club is heartbroken by the news a male worker has died following an incident at the Everton Stadium site at Bramley Moore Dock. The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with Everton are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this unimaginably sad time."
Update
Februay 19th 2024
The HSE has formally taken over the investgation into the incident. A staement from the HSE said:
"The involvement of Merseyside Police has now concluded. HSE will now lead the criminal investigation."
HSE inspector John Padfield added: “We have been a part of this inquiry from the outset and we will continue to thoroughly investigate Michael’s tragic death as the lead agency"
“This will aim to establish if there have been any breaches of health and safety law.
“We are in regular contact with Michael’s family and our thoughts remain with them at this time."

The new stadium is due to be completed by the end of 2024. Everton will remain at its Goodison Park stadium which dates from 1892, until the new stadium is fully complete and signed off. The following video shows the variety of cranes and access equipment in use at the stadium, along with the work they are doing.