Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch and was treated by paramedics in a terrifying incident during Saturday’s cancelled clash against Bournemouth.
Tom Lockyer 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 as confirmed by the club. The centre-back was eventually stretchered off.
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.
Luton offered an update on their captain later in the evening. They wrote, “We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital”.
“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. The 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.”
The club thereafter 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.”
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.