Luton captain Tom Lockyer is stable in hospital after going into cardiac arrest during the Premier League match with Bournemouth in emotional scenes reminiscent of the play-off final in May where he suffered an atrial fibrillation.
In the 62nd minute, off-the-ball, the defender collapsed to his knees and then his front in the centre circle. Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing leapt into action first, putting him into the recovery position, with medical staff and Town boss Rob Edwards sprinting onto the pitch, the manager ushering distraught players away so their team-mate could be treated.
The Welsh international was stretchered off the pitch to applause from both sets of fans, having been given extensive treatment for around 15 minutes at the Vitality Stadium where the players were led off the pitch while medics treated him.
The players returned to do a lap of appreciation with Edwards in tears, as they, understandably, could not continue to play the match, which was abandoned with the score at 1-1.
A Luton Town statement read said of Lockyer: “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.”
In an earlier statement, the club had said: “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 their 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 im and them all.”
It’s the second time this year that Lockyer has collapsed on a pitch, with the first coming in the eighth minute of the the Championship play-off final at Wembley. The defender was able to watch from a London hospital bed as Town beat Coventry on penalties to reach the Premier League before undergoing an operation to fix an atrial fibrillation, after which he was cleared to play again.
Lockyer said in June: “I had an atrial fibrillation, which is basically the top part of my heart was beating four times faster than it should have been. There’s not really any reason to say why that happened, but I’ve had the operation to fix it and it shouldn’t happen again.”
As they did then, tributes and well-wishes poured in from fans, football clubs and prominent figures including Fabrice Muamba, who in 2012, suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Bolton against Tottenham in the FA Cup.
The 35-year-old posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tom Lockyer. It’s great to hear you are responsive and alert. Rest up and God willing you recover well. Thinking of you and your family today.’
In a statement Bournemouth said: “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.”
On Match of the Day on BBC One, host Gary Lineker opened the Premier League highlights package by saying: “Good evening, it’s been a traumatic day in the Premier League.
“Luton captain Tom Lockyer was rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest in the second half of today’s game against Bournemouth.
“Lockyer, who had heart surgery to correct an atrial fibrillation after collapsing in the play-off final in May, is stable and is undergoing tests.”
Prior to that on BBC’s Final Score programme, presenter Jason Mohammad gave an emotional message to Lockyer and his family, saying: “This is very difficult for all of us, but especially those of us who know Tom. Tom grew up a couple of streets away from where I live. I know his dad really well, so my thoughts and prayers are with his family and his friends. He is of course a very popular member of the Wales squad as well. We are thinking of you, Tom, and family.”
