The match between home team Bournemouth and Luton Town on the evening of December 16 was abandoned early in the second half after away team captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest.
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| Tom Lockyer had to use oxygen during a match in May. (Source: AFP) |
Defender Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch in the 59th minute of the match. Luton Town manager Rob Edwards immediately ran onto the pitch and told his players to make way for the medical staff. There was a tense scene around the pitch, with Lockyer's team-mate Issa Kabore seen clasping his hands in prayer. Bournemouth and Luton Town players were asked to go to the dressing room as medical staff treated the Luton Town captain.
Tom Lockyer was carried off the pitch on a stretcher to the applause of fans from both sides at the Vitality Stadium. After a delay of dozens of minutes due to the 29-year-old defender's incident, the referee announced the match was abandoned. At that time, the score was 1-1.
Luton Town later confirmed that Tom Lockyer suffered a heart attack but is now stable. "Our medical staff have confirmed that our captain suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch but was responsive as he was carried off on a stretcher. Once again, thanks to the medical staff from both clubs who treated Tom on the pitch. Tom has been taken to hospital and we can assure our supporters that he is in a stable condition. He is currently undergoing further tests with his family by his side," the statement read.
The Sun said the decision to abandon the match rather than restart it was because "players from both sides were in no mood to continue playing". As fans began to leave the Vitality Stadium, a red-eyed Luton Town manager walked around the pitch applauding them. It is unclear when Bournemouth and Luton Town will play again or resume from where they left off.
On social media, colleagues and former football stars such as Gary Neville, John Terry... all sent their condolences and wished Tom Lockyer a speedy recovery. Previously in May, in the first division play-off final against Coventry, the Welsh defender also collapsed on the field, had to be given oxygen and was rushed to the hospital.
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