"There's a sense of numbness and shock in the estate" - Co Antrim town mourns after man dies from bonfire fall

A Co Antrim community mourns after a man in his 30s died falling from a bonfire.

Police say the man was working at a bonfire site on Saturday night in the Fairway area of Larne when the accident happened.

Minister of Craigy Hill Presbyterian church, Ben Preston, said there was a sense of numbness and shock around the estate.

"As we walked through the estate this morning on our way to church there was a sense of numbness and shock," he said.

"It's such a tragedy and an accident. Just in the blink of an eye this young man falls and loses his life.

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with the family and the whole wider community."

Inspector Adrian Bryan said: “We understand that the man was assisting in the building of the bonfire when this tragic accident occurred. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this time.”

He continued: “Our investigation has commenced and we are appealing for witnesses, especially those who were in the area last night around 10.15pm, to come forward and contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1866 09/07/22.

“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/