Liam Payne, former One Direction star, dies at hotel in Argentina - what we know so far

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31.

How did Payne die?

Local police said Payne had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening.

He is said to have suffered "extremely serious injuries".

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the city's Palermo neighbourhood.

He declined to answer further questions about the incident, including the circumstances of the fall.

Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said police were called to the hotel in response to an "aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol".

Sky News has received a transcript of the emergency call placed last night by the hotel where Liam Payne was staying.

The caller - the hotel's desk manager - tells the 911 operator the hotel had "a guest drunk with drugs and alcohol" who was "breaking everything in the room".

The manager said they needed emergency services to come urgently "because I don't know if the guest's life is in danger because he is in a room with balcony, and we are afraid he could do something that threatens life".

You can listen to the full transcript by clicking on the video below:

A statement from the local ambulance service said they arrived at the hotel within six minutes of receiving the emergency call, where they found a person lying on the patio at the hotel.

They said they found the injuries that he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal and that there was no possibility of resuscitating him.

There are also reports from people who say they heard a loud bang in the courtyard shortly before a body was discovered.

Tributes as Payne found dead at hotel - follow latest

Fans light hold 'impromptu memorial' as body moved to morgue

Many fans of Payne arrived outside the hotel's entrance soon after the incident and began lighting candles as part of an "impromptu memorial", Argentinian journalist Natalio Cosoy told Sky News.

"They started lighting candles around the tree, right in front of the entrance to the hotel," he said.

"Dozens of fans have been gathering here earlier than now, when the body of Liam was still here, expecting and waiting for the moment that the body was going to be taken to the coroner's office.

"That happened some time ago, but they still remained here.

"They've also been singing the songs of the band in remembrance, some of them crying and very sad to hear this news."

Payne's social media post hours before death

Payne had posted on Snapchat in the last few hours before his death, and in one video he said it was a "lovely day here in Argentina".

"Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it's like 1pm," he said. "Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We're such losers."

The star spoke about "going to ride some horses" and said: "Think I'm going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks."

"It's going to be a nice day," he added.

The videos appeared to be posted days after they were filmed, as they featured Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who uploaded videos of her return to Florida on social media earlier in the week.

Why was Payne in Argentina?

Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

He was seen dancing at his show two weeks ago at the Movistar Arena alongside his girlfriend, Ms Cassidy.

What is happening now?

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the singer's death and conducting a post-mortem examination while stars pay tribute to Payne.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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