Everton FC ‘heartbroken’ after death of construction worker injured at site of new stadium
The Premier League club has released a statement
Everton Football Club has said it is ‘heartbroken’ over the death today of a worker after an incident at the construction site of the new stadium.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it was aware of the tragedy and police confirmed officers were in the ‘early stages’ of an investigation. All work has been suspended at the site until further notice.
Emergency services were called to the Bramley-Moore Dock construction site in Vauxhall, Liverpool, at around 1pm on Monday. A 26-year-old man was injured and taken to hospital, but died there later, Merseyside Police confirmed.
In a club statement released this evening, Everton FC 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. Stadium Contractor Laing O’Rourke will cooperate with Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive in their investigations.”
In its own statement, construction firm 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 and Safety Executive are on site and we have suspended work until further notice. We will cooperate fully with any investigation that follows.”
In June, Everton FC said it would it consult with fans as part of their considerations over whether to move into their new stadium midway through the 2024-25 season.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that a man has died after an incident at Bramley-Moore Dock this afternoon. At around 1pm it was reported that a man, aged 26, had been injured. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. His next of kin have been told and an investigation is under way.”
The victim, who is understood to have suffered severe head injuries, was taken to Aintree Hospital, but declared dead a short time later. The Liverpool Echo said it understands the incident involved ‘heavy machinery’, although there’s been no exact clarification.
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which investigates accidents in the workplace, were pictured on the scene conducting enquiries. Scientific support vehicles from Merseyside Police were seen at the entrance to the site and an air ambulance was also called in.
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: “We can confirm we have been made aware of an incident and are making enquiries.”
The waterfront new Everton Stadium is expected to open during next season, replacing Goodison Park. No further details have been revealed.
