Bournemouth vs Luton suspended as Tom Lockyer collapses in "distressing scenes"

16 December 2023 , 16:28

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Tom Lockyer in action for Luton vs Bournemouth (Image: Getty Images)

Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch and was treated by paramedics in a terrifying incident during Saturday's cancelled clash against Bournemouth.

The defender went down during the second half of the game and received treatment from medical staff who rushed on the pitch to his aid. Luton boss Rob Edwards ran onto the pitch and beckoned his players away from the incident.

Players were then asked to return to the dressing rooms as medical staff continued to treat Lockyer, who suffered from a cardiac arrest, the club have confirmed. The centre-back was eventually stretchered off by those treating him. According to BBC, a Bournemouth staff club doctor had confirmed that the defender was "alert and responsive".

The decision was then made to postpone the game after the worrying scenes, with players re-emerging to applaud supporters. Edwards was pictured in tears as he gave his thanks to supporters. Sky Sports Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas described the scenes as "distressing" as fans had looked on concerned inside the stadium.

Luton offered an update on their captain later in the evening. Taking to Twitter, they said: "We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital.

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"We don’t know the full extent of what happened and what the next steps are at this stage, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing. We are sorry to all supporters present that players from both sides were in no state of mind to continue with the game after seeing their much-loved team-mate and friend taken off like that, and staff could not carry on with managing the game in such circumstances having had to deal with the situation.

"We thank everyone for the wonderful applause and singing of Locks’ name inside the stadium at such a difficult time. Now is the time for all of our players, staff and supporters to come together as we always do and give our love and support to Tom and his family. Our thoughts are with him and them all."

They then confirmed his prognosis with a second update. "Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher.

"He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides. Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests with his family at his bedside.

"We would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and loving messages for Locks."

Bournemouth vs Luton suspended as Tom Lockyer collapses in "distressing scenes"

Bournemouth boss Rob Edwards enters the field of play after Tom Lockyer's injury

Tim Sherwood, who was watching the game for Sky Sports, gave his view of the incident. He said: “It was a long kick from the keeper and was in the vicinity of Tom so I thought there was contact on his head, then you see him face down and quite rightly the cameras moved away.”

Lockyer previously collapsed during Luton's victorious Championship play-off final against Coventry last season. He received hospital treatment and heart surgery after an atrial fibrillation, a condition the NHS describes as causing "an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate", was identified.

Lockyer recovered from that incident during the playoffs to play a role during Luton's first-ever Premier League campaign. The 29-year-old had previously made 14 appearances in the top-flight for the Hatters this term.

Rob Edwards was visibly emotional as he applauded supporters

The 16-time Wales international signed for Luton back in September 2020 from Charlton Athletic. He has gone on to make 118 appearances for the club.

Applause for Lockyer broke out on a number of occasions at the Vitality Stadium as the defender continued to receive treatment. The game between Luton and Bournemouth was poised at 1-1 after goals from Elijah Adebayo and Dominic Solanke.