Man dies after falling from Eleventh Night bonfire in Belfast

A man has died after falling from a bonfire pyre in Belfast, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

The incident took place in the Braniel estate in the east of Belfast on Friday night, ahead of Ulster Loyalist Eleventh Night events.

Officers received a report at 4.40pm on Saturday that a man in his 40s, had died in hospital following the fall.

The PSNI said it was investigating the circumstances and that the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) had been informed.

A statement from the Braniel Bonfire Committee, Braniel Loyal Flute Band and Braniel Community Group named the man as Warren "AKA" Lyttle.

"Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with Warren's family, friends and everyone who knew and loved him at this incredibly difficult time," the groups said.

"As a community, we are heartbroken by this tragic loss and ask that everyone keeps his loved ones in their prayers in the days and weeks ahead."

The bonfire will be lit as planned, the statement added, asking those taking part to observe a minute's silence.

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A number of the traditional Eleventh Night bonfires, an Ulster Protestant celebration, were lit across Northern Ireland late on Friday, with further pyres ignited on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

While most bonfires are lit without incident, several are contentious due to flags, effigies and election posters on the pyres before they are ignited.

There was widespread condemnation after a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, featured a replica of a mosque on top of the structure.

That bonfire was lit a day early on Thursday night ahead of a planned police operation to remove the effigy.

Signs saying "secure our borders" and "end the threat of radical Islam" were also placed on the pyre.

The PSNI said it had "commenced a significant and complex policing operation to remove a hate display from the Moygashel bonfire".

A spokesperson said: "Had the bonfire not been lit, police would have secured the site and removed the offending material and seized it as evidence.

"The Police Service of Northern Ireland's investigation into this hate motivated crime is ongoing."

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