Bad scenes in the English Premier League.
The Bournemouth game against Luton Town had to be abandoned on Saturday afternoon because Luton defender Tom Lockyer (29) collapsed on the field.
Far from the action, Lockyer collapsed to the ground in the 60th minute. After a long ball from Luton goalkeeper Kaminski, the defender runs towards the center circle. When the ball comes back a few seconds later, Lockyer is already on the ground.
The shocked players leave the pitch
Afterwards, helpers immediately sprint onto the pitch. Luton coach Rob Edwards immediately tells his team to move away from the spot.
Premier League: Drama! Luton Town’s Tom Lockyer collapses during the game
Shortly afterwards the teams leave the pitch. Luton professional Issa Kabore prays on the pitch.
Luton then tweeted: “There is a break in play as Tom Lockyer needs medical attention. We’re all with you, Locks.”
Lockyer is later taken off the pitch on a stretcher. According to BBC commentator Chris Wise, the player is “awake and responsive”.
After a minute-long interruption, referee Simon Hooper finally decides to restart the game to cancel the Premier League.
The league announces: “The Premier League game between Bournemouth and Luton was abandoned due to a player’s medical incident. Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and all the players involved in today’s game.”
When the decision is official, the teams come out of the dressing room again. They thanked the fans who supported Lockyer with chants during the break.
Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola and Rob Edwards shake hands on the sideline.
Everything was still good: Tom Lockyer in a duel with Dominic Solanke
Tom Lockyer collapses for the second time in a game
Edwards has tears in his eyes during the tour afterwards. He beats his chest several times to show his gratitude to the fans.
Luton later said: “We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is fortunately responsive and has been taken to hospital.”
He continued: “We don’t yet know the full extent of the incident or what the next steps will be, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing.”
The teams thank the fans at Vitality Stadium
For Lockyer it is the second collapse in a game.
During his team’s promotion game in May, the defender collapsed in the middle of the game. He even had to be supplied with oxygen on the lawn. He was then taken to the hospital.
He then explained: “I had surgery and it shouldn’t happen again. There’s really no reason to say why this happened.”