An inquest into the death of Michael Jones, 26, heard that he died after the incident at the Bramley-Moore Dock construction site
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An Everton fan who died while working on the construction of the new stadium was killed when the machine when he was working on trapped him against a beam in the stadium.
An inquest into the death of Michael Jones, 26, heard that he died after the incident at the Bramley-Moore Dock construction site on Monday August 14. Michael, from Kirkby, was a lifelong Everton fan whose middle name was Goodison, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Although he was rushed to Aintree Hospital after being injured on the site, he died shortly afterwards. The inquest into Michael's death was opened at the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool today (Wednesday).
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Coroner André Rebello described the moments leading up to the 26-year-old's fatal injuries at the construction site. He said: "Michael had been operating a machine commonly known as a scissor ladder. He was caught between the beam above him and the machine.”
The inquest heard how a colleague of Michael's had noticed the lift had stopped moving. He climbed onto it and moved it forward, releasing Michael, who was revealed to have severe head injuries.
The construction worker had been wearing a hard hat but it was severely damaged. Michael was given first aid at the scene before an ambulance arrived and took him to the trauma centre at Aintree Hospital.
He was shortly afterward pronounced dead having gone into cardiac arrest following his head injuries. Michael had been working on the Blues' stadium project as a ventilation engineer for Mersey Vent Ltd as part of the wider project led by construction giant Laing O'Rourke.
The youngest of four, Michael had three older sisters. Mr Rebello told the court: "I understand they are all Evertonians."
His sister Gemma Leary paid tribute to her Everton-loving brother in comments made to the club website. She said: "Michael was the baby, a boy after three daughters. He was adored by everyone, and he loved spending time with his dad watching Everton."
She added that he was "pleased and proud" to be lending his talents to the development of Everton's new stadium. Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive are both continuing to investigate the incident.
Mr Rebello said: "This is a very complex and technical investigation that will take some time." He issued an interim death certificate and released Michael's body to his family.
Mr Rebello said a post-mortem examination has been carried out and a report from the pathologist will be available after toxicology results.
He said: “I don’t think there is any concern there may have been any substances in Mr Jones at the time of the incident, but in a case of this nature toxicology is taken routinely.”
The coroner adjourned the inquest into Michael's death until February 29, 2024.