A NORTHERN Ireland football fan who died while visiting France to support his team at the Euros has been named as 24-year-old Darren Rodgers.
It is believed Mr Rodgers died after falling eight metres from a promenade onto a rocky beach in Nice in the early hours of Monday morning.
Mr Rodgers, who was from Ballymena and played for Braid United FC, had travelled to France in time for Northern Ireland's first match against Poland on Sunday evening.
It is the first time Northern Ireland have taken part in a major football tournament for nearly 30 years.
Superintendent Nigel Goddard, who is heading up a team of police from Northern Ireland during the Euros, said he was told by French police the death was not related to any kind of public disorder.
He said: "I believe it was an accident – not in any way disorder related, obviously a personal tragedy.
"This was in the early hours, on his own, quite possibly had a bit of drink taken.”
He later added: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Darren Rodgers from Ballymena who tragically died in Nice during the early hours of this morning.
"We have been liaising with French Authorities in Nice and local PSNI officers have been in touch locally with his family in Ballymena.
"We have also been in contact with Darren's friends who travelled to Nice with him to offer our help and support to them at this very sad time."
Tributes have poured in from players of the Northern Irish football team for the young fan.
Northern Ireland supporter's page "our wee country" will pay tribute to the 24-year-old when Northern Ireland play Ukraine on Thursday.
They will hold a minute's applause for him at the game.
Our Wee Country have asked fans to spread the word ahead of Thursday's match.
Read some of the tributes below...
So sad to wake up to the tragic news that a Northern Ireland fan has died in Nice, thoughts with his family and friends.
— Steven Davis (@StevenDavis8) June 13, 2016
You think things are bad then learn one of your own loses his life last night. Thoughts with family and friends ?. #GAWA #family
— Gareth McAuley (@G23mcauley) June 13, 2016
Devastating news iv woke up to. My thoughts are with the young mans family and friends. We've lost one of our own. RIP
— K❤️V (@LaffK) June 13, 2016
Such a sad day, to wake up to the News that a Young Northern Ireland has tragically died in Nice. Thoughts with his family and friends ??
— Niall McGinn (@nmcginn10) June 13, 2016
Tragic news to wake up to this morning. Thoughts are with the young northern ireland fans family and friends
— Conor McLaughlin (@ConorMcL3) June 13, 2016
Paul Frew, DUP North Antrim MLA, whose son also plays football for Braid United, tweeted his condolences:
So sad to hear about Darren.Only hearing the news after speaking with him yesterday.Great lad with a big heart.My condolences to his family
— Paul Frew (@paulfrewDUP) June 13, 2016
