A man has died after falling from a bonfire that towered at more than 50 feet tall in Northern Ireland.
The man, who is believed to be in his mid-thirties, was pronounced dead at the scene in County Antrim on Saturday night. He is understood to have been attending ‘Eleventh Night’ celebrations, which see fires lit to usher in the main date in the Protestant loyal order parading season – the Twelfth of July.
MP for the area Sammy Wilson said the community was in shock after the incident, with police maintaining a presence in the area this morning.
READ MORE: BREAKING: Two seriously injured in horror stabbing in south Manchester
The incident took place at around 9:30pm last night, with police and ambulance services in attendance.
The construction of the Antiville fire was nearing completion when the incident happened.
“My thoughts and sympathy are with this man’s family,” Wilson told the PA news agency. “It is a real tragedy at what is a special time of year for people in the loyalist community.
“The family are well-known in the area, and I am sure this will be greatly felt within the community.”
Mr Wilson said he understood that the bonfire would now be removed by members of the community.
The fatal fall in Antiville comes as Larne had been making headlines for another bonfire in the town.
Bonfire builders at nearby Craigyhill estate are attempting to break a world record for the tallest bonfire, which currently stands at 198 feet.
Twelfth commemorations in Northern Ireland mark the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne, north of Dublin, in 1690 – a triumph that secured a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.
READ NEXT:
- 'When the big Tesco opened we thought it would kill us': Inside Greater Manchester's oldest family bakery
- The 'most tranquil' Peak District village with only 250 people and not a busy road in sight
-
'Spectacular' Red Arrows pictured flying over Bolton and Wigan
-
Two shootings and double stabbing in bloody night of violence across Greater Manchester
