The English Premier League football match between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town was abandoned on Saturday after Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch. The defender suffered a head injury in the game and collapsed after around an hour.
Players and audience reacted in shock. Lockyer was treated on the field and was responsive again after a short time. The 29-year-old was taken off the field on a stretcher to loud applause from the audience. The referee then sent both teams to the dressing rooms and then did not whistle the game again.
Luton and Bournemouth players only returned to the pitch to applaud the fans in the stadium. “We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is fortunately responsive and has been taken to hospital,” said Luton Town: “We don’t yet know the full extent of what happened and how it happened continues, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely brilliant.”
The incident brought back memories of a similar horror moment in the summer. Back in May, Lockyer also collapsed during his team’s promotion game against Coventry. The Luton captain then underwent heart surgery. In June, doctors gave the green light for him to return to the field.
“We apologize to all supporters in attendance that players from both teams were unable to continue the game after seeing their beloved team-mate and friend being transported away,” it said, “and the staff were also unable to continue the game not continue under such circumstances after they have had to deal with the situation.”