A Premier League match was suspended Saturday after Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer collapsed again on the pitch due to cardiac arrest.
The scary incident occurred in the 59th minute of a 1-1 game at Bournemouth when Lockyer fell to the ground without contact with another player.
It marked the second time this year that the 29-year-old center back from Wales has collapsed during a match.
He underwent a procedure to repair an atrial fibrillation and was hospitalized for five days after similarly falling to the turf on May 27 against Coventry City at Wembley Stadium.
“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,” the Luton Town club said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “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.”
Lockyer was attended to Saturday for several minutes by medical personnel before being stretchered off the field, and both teams returned to their locker rooms before the announcement was made that the match would not continue.
“The Premier League match between Bournemouth and Luton has been abandoned due to a player medical incident,” the EPL’s official account posted on X. “Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and all players involved in today’s match.”
Luton also thanked the Bournemouth supporters for their “wonderful applause and the singing of Locks’ name inside the stadium at such a difficult time.”
“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 teammate 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,” the Luton club posted.
Players and coaches from both sides did later reemerge to the pitch to applaud the crowd.
“We’re relieved to hear Tom is responsive,” Bournemouth tweeted on its social-media pages. “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.”
Luton Town presently is below the relegation line in the EPL table with two wins, three draws and 11 losses for nine points through 16 games.
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