Tributes have been paid to a 26-year-old man who died after suffering severe head injuries while working at Everton's new stadium.
Michael Jones, 26, from Kirkby, Merseyside, was rushed to Aintree Hospital on Monday but died despite medics' best efforts.
In an emotional statement released by his family today, it was revealed 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 at around 1pm yesterday following the incident involving 'heavy machinery'.
A post-mortem to establish the cause of death is due to take place tomorrow, Merseyside Police said.
A statement from Michael'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 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.'
Paying tribute this morning, fellow football fan Barry Murray posted a series of photos in memory of Michael, showing the Everton supporter at matches alongside others.
He wrote: 'Michael Jones RIP. Well lad travelled all around the world with you and our Mick and my three lads.
'Saw you grow into a lovely caring, generous lad. RIP till we meet again.'
Merseyside Police is working jointly with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and enquiries remain ongoing.
Four men who pulled up in three vans just before 11.30am laid a solitary wreath of flowers at the gates where he died.
One said: 'He was a worker that's why we put the flowers down.
'He was a worker just doing his job. I didn't know him.'
Another said: 'We we're working on the site when it happened but we were over the other side.
'We had our ear defenders on so we didn't hear anything but we've been told it involved equipment known as ''the scissors.''
'He was just a young lad. We didn't know him but we have come to pay our respects'.
Stadium contractor Laing O'Rourke suspended work on the site and a statement from the firm read: 'We will co-operate fully with any investigation that follows.'
The new stadium on the banks of the Mersey is expected to be completed midway through next season, though it has not yet been decided whether Everton will move from Goodison Park halfway through a campaign or wait until summer 2025.
Thousands of football fans and locals have rushed to express their sympathies in the wake of the tragic incident, as Liverpool and Everton football fans alike took to Twitter to offer their tributes.
One 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 horrible time. RIP young man.'
Another Everton fan said: 'So sad ! No one should not return home after a days work to their family! Thoughts are with the family.'
Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby wrote on Twitter: 'Absolutely tragic. Thoughts and condolences with his family, friends & colleagues.'
Liverpool Football Club tweeted: 'Everybody 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 vile tweet mocking the death construction worker Michael has been met with furious backlash.
Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram condemned the incident as encouraging 'the very worst excesses to crawl out from under their rocks' - adding that there is 'absolutely nothing funny' about the tragedy.
The tweet had used a football chant to make light of the tragic incident and attracted much attention on the platform.
The mayor responded: 'Twitter really does appear to encourage the very worst excesses to crawl out from under their rocks.
'There is nothing to sing about, nothing to celebrate and absolutely nothing funny about people going to a football match or to work and not making it home safely.'
Workers from the site at Bramley Moore Dock said they were informed of the incident and then asked to leave the area but couldn't share more details, The Liverpool Echo reported.
The North West Ambulance Service said they were called at 12.32pm. An air ambulance and road ambulance were scrambled to the scene, with 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 we have been made aware of an incident and are making enquiries.'
Everton FC said: 'Everyone at Everton Football Club is heartbroken by the news a male worker has died following an incident at the Everton Stadium site at Bramley-Moore Dock.
'Stadium contractor Laing O'Rourke has immediately launched an investigation and will work with the police and the Health and Safety Executive to establish the full details of the incident.'