Family pay tribute to ‘lifelong Blue’ who died at new Everton stadium

Michael Jones suffered severe head injuries in an incident on the Bramley Moore Dock construction site

On Monday, Merseyside police said a 26-year-old had been taken to hospital around 12.30pm after an incident at Bramley Moore Dock. He had suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital.

On Tuesday morning, police identified the man as Michael Jones, from Kirkby.

Paying tribute, his family said: "It is with our greatest sadness that our beloved son, brother uncle and friend Michael has sadly passed away. 

"He was a lifelong blue who was so happy to working on the new stadium. We want to thank the NHS staff and work colleagues who did their best for Michael. He will be missed beyond words."

In a statement following the news of the worker's death, Everton said: “The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with Everton are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this unimaginably sad time.

“Stadium contractor Laing O’Rourke has immediately launched an investigation and will work with the police and the Health and Safety Executive to establish the full details of the incident.”

Work has stopped on the construction site until further notice.

The new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey is expected to be completed in late 2024, after which the club will leave their current home at Goodison Park, which opened in 1892.

Work on the stadium has been underway since August 2021, and once completed it will have a capacity of almost 53,000.

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