Grieving family say no justice for Nathan
The family of a Scotland fan who died in a fall at Celtic Park say they’re “extremely disappointed” after being told there won’t be an inquiry into his death.
Former Cumnock Academy pupil Nathan McSeveney, 20, fell three floors down a stairwell at Exit 33 of the Lisbon Lions stand following Scotland’s 1- 0 win over Ireland in November 2014.
Following the tragedy, the Cumnock family called for a Fatal Accident Inquiry ( FAI) and launched legal action against Celtic FC.
But they have now abandoned their civil case after the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ( COPFS) said it will not hold an FAI.
Nathan’s uncle, John McSeveney said: “As a family, we’re extremely disappointed that an FAI won’t be held into Nathan’s death. As a result of that, we won’t be pursuing a civil case against Celtic either.
“The civil case was not as big a priority as the FAI.
“We believed it was important for the safety of the general public that an FAI into Nathan’s death was held. Not holding an FAI is a decision I don’t understand.”
The family had been represented by Glasgow- based Thompsons Solicitors, which confirmed the civil case and FAI were not going ahead.
Nathan, who worked as a rope access technician, was rushed to hospital after he fell when exiting the stadium at full- time but died a short time later. More than 200 people attended his funeral at Masonhill Crematorium in Ayr.
The sell- out Euro 2016 qualifier was played at Celtic Park because Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden, was undergoing building work.
John launched the civil action against Celtic in 2017. It was claimed the club failed a duty of care and erected safety nets where Nathan fell following his death.
But the club refuted the allegations and said its stadium was safe.
An FAI is routinely held into prison and accidental deaths where there is a public interest in holding an investigation. In recent years, there has been criticism over how long it takes the COPFS to get FAIs to court.
Last week, an FAI into the death of four people in a helicopter crash got under way – even though the deaths happened in 2013.
Former Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill – who was behind reforms of FAIs in 2014 aimed at making them more “efficient and robust” – said: “A decision on whether to hold an FAI and when they’re held is still taking too long.”
Celtic said they would not comment but had already expressed their “deepest sympathy to Nathan’s family”.
The Crown Office said: “A full and thorough investigation into the death of Nathan McSeveney was carried out under the direction of the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit.
“After careful consideration and a detailed analysis of all the facts and circumstances of the death, Crown Counsel concluded a discretionary FAI was not required to serve the public interest. The family have been provided with detailed reasons for this decision.”