Pictured: Lifelong Everton fan, 26, who died after suffering severe head injuries in ‘heavy machinery’ incident at club’s new stadium – as family reveal heartbreak over loss of ‘beloved son’ who was ‘so happy’ to have a job at the site

Tributes have been paid to a 26-year-old man who died after suffering serious head injuries while working at Everton’s new stadium.

Michael Jones, 26, from Kirkby, Merseyside, was taken to Aintree Hospital on Monday but died despite the best efforts of medics.

In an emotional statement released by his family today, it was revealed that he was a lifelong Everton supporter who was ‘so happy’ to be working on the new stadium as they paid tribute to their ‘beloved’ son.

Emergency services were called to the site at Bramley Moore Dock around 1pm yesterday after the incident involving ‘heavy machinery’.

An autopsy will take place tomorrow, Merseyside police said.

As a tribute this morning, Barry Murray posted a series of photos in memory of Michael, showing the Everton supporter along with other fans during matches

Tributes have poured in for Michael, who died yesterday following a ‘heavy machinery’ incident at the Bramley Moore Dock site

A statement from Michael’s family read: ‘The family would like to thank everyone for their continued support. It is with our deepest sorrow that our beloved son, brother uncle and friend Michael has sadly passed away.

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

This morning, fellow football fan Barry Murray posted a series of photos in memory of Michael, showing the Everton supporter at matches with others.

He wrote, “Michael Jones RIP. Well boy traveled all over the world with you and our Mick and my three boys.

“I watched you grow up to be a sweet, caring, generous boy. RIP until we meet again.”

Merseyside Police are working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and investigations are ongoing.

Four men who pulled up in three vans just before 11:30 a.m. laid a solitary garland of flowers at the gate where he died.

One of them said, ‘He was a worker, that’s why we put the flowers. He was a worker just doing his job. I didn’t know him.’

Another said, “We were working on the site when it happened, but we were on the other side.”

Stadium contractor Laing O’Rourke suspended work at the site and a statement from the company read: “We will fully cooperate with any investigation that follows.”

The new stadium on the banks of the Mersey is expected to be completed by the middle of next season, although it has not yet been decided whether Everton will move from Goodison Park midway through a campaign or wait until the summer of 2025.

Emergency services were called to the site at Bramley Moore Dock around 12.32am yesterday following the ‘heavy machinery’ incident

Liverpool FC tweeted a statement of support alongside blue and red hearts together for the rival football teams

Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne expressed his condolences over the tragic incident

Meanwhile, Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram took to Twitter to post a vile tweet mocking Michael’s death

Thousands of football fans and locals rushed to offer their condolences following the tragic incident, with football fans from both Liverpool and Everton taking to Twitter to pay their tributes.

An Everton fan, Peter Macca, said: ‘This is so awful! Sending my love to his family, friends and colleagues, my thoughts are with you all at this terrible time. RIP young man.’

Another Everton fan said: ‘So sad! No one should not return home to their family after a day’s work! Thoughts are with the family.’

Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby wrote on Twitter: ‘Absolutely tragic. Thoughts and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Liverpool Football Club tweeted: ‘Everyone at Liverpool Football Club is deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, colleagues and Everton FC.”

The club added blue and red hearts to show their support for the rival football club.

Meanwhile, a mean tweet mocking the late construction worker Michael has been met with furious backlash.

Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram condemned the incident as encouraging ‘the worst excesses to crawl out from under their rocks’ – adding that there is ‘absolutely nothing funny’ about the tragedy.

The North West Ambulance Service said they received a call at 12:32 am. An air ambulance and an air ambulance arrived at the scene, the latter taking a patient to hospital. Police were photographed at the scene yesterday

Construction company Laing O’Rourke said the man was at work at the time of his death. Emergency workers were photographed at the scene yesterday

The tweet had used a football anthem to illuminate the tragic incident and attracted a lot of attention on the platform.

The mayor replied, “Twitter really seems to be encouraging the worst debaucheries to crawl out from under their rocks.

“There’s nothing to sing about, nothing to celebrate, and absolutely nothing funny about people going to a football game or going to work and not getting home safely.”

Workers at the Bramley Moore Dock site said they were made aware of the incident and were subsequently asked to leave the area, but could not share more details. Liverpool echo reported.

The North West Ambulance Service said they received a call at 12:32 am. An air ambulance and an air ambulance arrived at the scene, the latter taking a patient to hospital.

In a statement to MailOnline, Merseyside Police said their officers were called to the scene around 1pm yesterday.

A spokesperson said: ‘The man was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead. His next of kin have been informed.’

A spokesman for the HSE added: “We can confirm that we have been made aware of an incident and are investigating.”

Everton FC said: ‘Everyone at Everton Football Club is heartbroken by the news that a male employee has died following an incident on the grounds of Everton Stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock.

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