An 17-year-old who was left fighting for his life after an industrial accident which claimed the life of his dad has now also died.
Former Rugby League player Clayton Bottomley was rushed to hospital after an accident at the Unity Building at the corner of Chapel Street and Rumford Place at around 3.30pm on Wednesday, May 19.
Clayton's dad David, 53, died at the scene. The father and son, from Castleford, in West Yorkshire, had been working together on the Unity site.
Tributes have now been paid to Clayton, who police had previously reported as being 18, after the teenager lost his fight for life over the weekend.
Yesterday Rick Brown posted in a public group for Lock Lane RLFC in Castleford, in which he paid tribute to the former Rugby League player.
The message read: "I write this with a heavy heart to inform you all that one of our junior players Clayton Bottomley has sadly passed away after a horrific accident.
"Clayton joined Lock Lane in the Under 12s and played through to the under 16s
"He was raw at first but soon got into the game, a very determined player to do well. He never took a backward step and gave 100% every game. He used to bring his large speaker on match day to get the team moral up in the changing room, he was a true team player.
"No parent should have to lose their child and our thoughts and prayers go out to his mum Paula and his sister Molly who he adored.
"This has had a massive impact on our team our club and the whole community.
"You well never be forgotten, may you rest in peace Clayton from everyone at the club."
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "Following an incident at a building site on Chapel Street on Wednesday, May 19, we can confirm that a 17-year-old man sadly died in hospital on Sunday, May 23.
"The man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers at this time.
"A second man, aged 53, sadly died at the scene of the accident.
"Emergency services were called to a site around 3.30pm to reports that the two men had been found seriously injured after falling.
"An investigation is being carried out by detectives and the Health and Safety Executive."
Witnesses said the accident involved an external construction lift which suddenly collapsed. Flowers were left at the scene of the accident.
Last week a friend of the Bottomley family told the ECHO that the father and son were "inseparable."
The man, who asked not to be named, said: "They were both inseparable and very much peas in a pod."
The friend said David was a highly experienced insulation fitter and had worked at the site in Liverpool city centre for the past two years.
He said that Clayton was a talented Rugby League player who had once played for Castleford Tigers.
Last week The Health and Safety Executive confirmed they have launched an investigation into the accident.
Laing O’Rourke, who are the lead contractors on the site, have confirmed that the company would cooperate fully with the HSE investigation.
A Laing O’Rourke spokesperson said: “We can confirm there was an incident at the Unity Building in which two men were seriously injured. Tragically, one of the men died at the scene and the second is in a critical condition in hospital.
"Our Health and Safety team is at the site and we and our sub-contractors will cooperate fully with the investigation into what happened. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the men at this extremely difficult time.”
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “HSE are aware and are investigating with the police.”
