Luton Town have confirmed that Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during Saturday’s abandoned match at but is thankfully ‘stable’ in hospital.
The 29-year-old collapsed on the pitch in the 55th minute at the Vitality Stadium with physios and doctors from both teams rushing on to provide immediate medical attention.
The frightening scenes echoed that of May’s Championship Play-Off final against Coventry at when the defender collapsed 11 minutes into the game.
Lockyer was eventually stretchered off the pitch, and according to the Bournemouth team doctor, he was ‘alert and responsive’ in the tunnel before being taken to hospital.
On Saturday evening, Luton released this statement on Lockyer’s condition, saying: ‘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.’
Earlier, the Hatters had said this: ‘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, 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.’
Referee Simon Hooper initially suspended the match before it was later abandoned with the two sides re-emerging from the tunnel to do a lap around the Vitality Stadium
Luton boss Rob Edwards was in tears as he walked around the pitch, with all players applauding supporters who clapped and sung Lockyer’s name.
Bournemouth later added their own statement on the incident: ‘We’re relieved to hear Tom is responsive.
‘Our thoughts will continue to be with Tom and his family at this time.
‘We’d like to thank all the medical staff for their quick action as well as everyone inside the stadium for their support and unity during a difficult moment.’
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