Tourist dies after fall at Causeway centre

A US tourist has died following an incident at the Giant’s Causeway.

It is understood it happened within the visitor centre at the Unesco World Heritage site — but the exact details are not known.

The man, understood to be in his 70s and from the United States, died in hospital yesterday morning.

A spokesperson for the North- ern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it received a 999 call on Tuesday following reports a man had fallen and sustained a head injury in the vicinity of the Causeway Road, Bushmills.

NIAS dispatched an emergency ambulance crew to the scene.

Following initial assessment and treatment at the scene, one patient was rushed by ambulance to the Causeway Hospital in nearby Coleraine.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “We can confirm that a visitor was treated following an incident at the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre on Tuesday, June 19.

“The NI Ambulance Service was in attendance and the visitor was taken to hospital.

“We are aware of the sad news that the visitor has since passed away and would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family.”

Padraig McShane, an independent Causeway Coast and Glens councillor, expressed his sympathies to the family of the man who died.

He said: “I have alerted the council, who will inform the Health and Safety Executive NI.

“In addition I will require them to hold their own investigation, with Environmental Health and Building Control departments to the fore.

“I can confirm that the family are currently receiving support from the American Consulate in Belfast.

“The hospitality sector is also providing considered and thoughtful support at a local level,” the councillor added.