At the funeral of a devoted Everton supporter who passed away after sustaining brain injuries in a “heavy machinery” accident at the team’s new stadium, Seamus Coleman is in charge of the Everton delegation.
Sadly, 26-year-old Kirkby, Merseyside resident Michael Jones passed away in August from brain injuries he sustained while working on the new Everton stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.
Coleman, the captain of Everton, was present at the funeral on Friday at a Kirkby church along with club chaplain Reverend Henry Corbett, ambassadors Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin, and interim chief executive Colin Chong.
The club’s construction partner Laing O’Rourke closed the new stadium site on Regent Road on Friday afternoon as a sign of respect.
The funeral, which concluded with a procession around Goodison Park and toward the crematorium, was attended by Jones’ friends and coworkers from the construction team thanks to the closure.
Jones’ family disclosed in an emotional statement issued in August that he was a devoted Everton fan who was’so delighted’ to be working on the new stadium.
Around 1pm on August 14, emergency personnel were called to the scene due to an incident involving “heavy machinery.”
He had always loved the color blue and was overjoyed to be working on the new stadium. We want to express our gratitude to the members of the NHS and Michael’s coworkers for their efforts. He will be terribly missed.
Following the unfortunate occurrence last month, thousands of football fans and residents flocked to Twitter to pay their respects. Both Liverpool and Everton fans sent their respects.
Peter Macca, an Everton supporter, exclaimed, “This is really terrible! I’m sending my condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers, and I’m thinking of you all during this terrible time. A young man, RIP.
Another Everton supporter remarked, “So sad! After a day of work, no one should avoid going home to their loved ones! We are thinking of the family.
Absolutely sad, tweeted Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne. We send our sympathies to his family, friends, and coworkers.
The Liverpool Football Club tweeted: “This tragic news has left everyone at Liverpool Football Club deeply saddened.” His family, friends, coworkers, and Everton FC have our sympathies and our prayers.
Everton FC also released the following statement: “Everyone at Everton Football Club is devastated by the news that a man employee has passed away following an incident at the Everton Stadium site at Bramley Moore Dock.
Laing O’Rourke, the stadium’s contractor, “has immediately launched an investigation and will work with the police and the Health and Safety Executive to establish the full particulars of the incident.”
