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Tribute paid to ‘lifelong blue’ who died at Everton stadium construction site

As a diehard fan, it meant the world to him to be working on the new ground.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 16th August 2023

The family of a man who died on the construction site of Everton FC’s new stadium have paid a touching tribute to him.

The man who tragically passed away has now been named as Michael Jones, 26, from Kirkby.

He was a ‘lifelong blue’ and his family say he was ‘so happy’ to be involved with building the brand new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

The incident at the construction site occurred at around 1pm on Monday 14 August.

Michael was rushed to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead not long after. A post-mortem to establish the cause of death is due to take place today.

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Everton FC said on Monday that everyone at the club is ‘heartbroken’ by the worker’s death on the site.

And construction company Laing O’Rourke confirmed that a thorough investigation is taking place, with Merseyside Police working jointly with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

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A statement from Michael Jones’s family said: “The family would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support. 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 be 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.”

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Featured Image — Merseyside Police

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Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has released a statement after his Co-op Live gig was cancelled. Credit: The Manc Group

The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.

Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.

Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.

Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.

Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.

“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.

“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”

It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.

Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.

“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”

The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.

Co-op Live then said that ‘where necessary’ it would find alternate dates for its opening season schedule and then minutes later announced the postponement of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour dates in Manchester.

They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.

“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.

“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”

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Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Olivia Rodrigo has announced a Manchester gig at Co-op Live

Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.

The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.

But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.

New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.

Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.

“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.

“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”

The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.

Olivia Rodrigo's gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.
Credit: Nick Walker
Olivia Rodrigo's gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.
Credit: Larissa Hofmann
Olivia Rodrigo’s gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.

But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.

Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.

Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.

Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was meant to open the Co-op Live arena tonight.

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Co-op Live WILL open this week, it has assured fans. Credit: The Manc Group

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