Family to sue Celtic over son’s tragic fall
Lawyers say club failed in their duty of care
Graeme D onohoe The Cumnock family of a football fan who fell to his death at Celtic Park are suing the club.
Nathan McSeveney, 20, died after watching Scotland’s 1- 0 victory over Ireland in November 2014.
He plunged three floors down a stairwell at Exit 33 of the Lisbon Lions stand as the crowd were leaving the sell- out game.
The match was played at Celtic’s home ground because Hampden Park was undergoing building work.
Now Nathan’s family – including mum Denise and dad John – are taking Celtic to court over the fall.
The case was lodged at the Court of Session in Edinburgh last week.
Sources close to the family indicated it raised concerns about the height of barriers at the stadium.
The family are being represented by Thompsons Solicitors.
Partner Patrick McGuire said: “It is our firm belief that the football club failed in their duty of care to protect this young man.
“The fact that they have now taken the obvious measure to make the area in question safer by erecting safety nets proves this.
“We will be fighting to make sure that the family receive the justice they deserve.”
A Celtic spokesman said: “Celtic Football Club have considerable sympathy with the McSeveney family for their terrible loss following this tragic accident.
“However, and while the Club’s sympathy is in no sense diminished, the Club do not accept liability for the accident.
“Celtic Park is a very safe environment and complies with all applicable building standards.
“Celtic Park is regularly inspected and certified as safe by the relevant authorities, including an investigation immediately following the accident.”
Nathan was at the game with his uncle Robert, who said later: “Nathan was such a happy- golucky guy and he jumped up to celebrate.
“It was his first Scotland game and ought to have been his first of many.”
Nathan was rushed to hospital when he fell soon after the final whistle but he died a short time later.
The former Cumnock Academy pupil had been working as a rope access technician for Motherwellbased Trac Engineering.
More than 200 people attended his funeral at Masonhill Crematorium.