MAN DIES AFTER PUNCH BAG MACHINE FALLS ON HIM IN TOXTETH, LIVERPOOL

A man has died after a punching bag machine landed on him during a disturbance outside shops on Berkley Street in Toxteth, Liverpool. Merseyside Police said officers were called to the scene shortly before 7pm on 29 October following reports of a disturbance. During the disturbance, a punch bag machine was pushed over and fell onto a male bystander. He was taken to hospital with a serious head injury. The force said on Monday that he had died as a result of his injuries.

Iliasse Alhag, a Moroccan national of Percy Street in Toxteth, was arrested on Sunday. He was charged with affray, assault and wounding with intent, and appeared before Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Monday. A police cordon was put in place around Bon Cafe and Katma Barber on Berkley Street, where the disturbance allegedly began. Photographs taken the following morning showed forensic officers inside the barber shop, with a white evidence tent in front of the cafe. An eyewitness said he knew the victim and that the man had no involvement in the initial disturbance. Police described the victim as a bystander and have not released his identity.

Detective Chief Inspector Alyson Keenan said: "We are continuing our enquiries into this incident and urge anyone who was in the area of Berkley Street at the time, or who has information which could assist the investigation, to please get in touch." The Crown Prosecution Service is now reviewing the initial charges against Alhag in light of the man's death, Merseyside Police said. Police asked anyone with information to contact its social media desk via X or Facebook, quoting reference number 26000888085. Enquiries into the disturbance continue, police said.