Man dies after falling from Eleventh Night bonfire in east Belfast
A man in his 40s, named Warren Lyttle, has died after falling from an Eleventh Night bonfire in the Braniel estate in east Belfast. Police are investigating the incident.
The incident occurred on Friday night when Warren Lyttle fell from a bonfire site in the Braniel area of east Belfast. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries on Saturday.
Police received a report at 4:40pm on Saturday, July 11, confirming the death. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland has been notified.
In a joint statement, the Braniel Bonfire Committee, Braniel Loyal Flute Band and Braniel Community Group expressed their grief and offered condolences to Lyttle’s family and friends. They noted that the bonfire would still be lit as planned on Saturday night after discussions with the family, but would be preceded by a minute’s silence.
The Eleventh Night bonfires are traditional pyres lit before the Orange Order’s 12 July parades, which commemorate the Battle of the Boyne. While many celebrations occur without trouble, some bonfires have drawn criticism for including offensive symbols. In a separate incident in Moygashel, County Tyrone, a bonfire featuring a replica of a mosque was lit before police could intervene. A man has since been charged with incitement to hatred in connection with that event.
