Bournemouth vs Luton suspended as Tom Lockyer collapses on pitch in “distressing scenes”

Tom Lockyer received paramedic attention at the Vitality Stadium during Saturday’s Premier League game with Bournemouth as the game was suspended

Luton captain Tom Lockyer was involved in a terrifying incident and received paramedic attention during Saturday’s cancelled clash against Bournemouth.

The defender went down during the second-half of the game and received treatment from medical staff on the pitch. Luton boss Rob Edwards ran onto the pitch and beckoned his players away from the incident.

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. Sky Sports Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas described the scenes as “distressing” as fans looked on concerned inside the stadium.

Luton penned a tweet in support of their captain in the immediate aftermath. It read: “There’s a break in play as Tom Lockyer seeks medical attention. We are all with you, Locks,” alongside an orange heart.

Tim Sherwood, who was watching the game for Sky Sports, gave his view of the incident. He said: “It was a long kick from the keeper and was in the vicinity of Tom so I thought there was contact on his head, then you see him face down and quite rightly the cameras moved away.”

 

Lockyer previously collapsed during Luton’s victorious Championship play-off final against Coventry last season. He received hospital treatment and heart surgery after an atrial fibrillation, a condition the NHS describes as causing “an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate”, was identified.

Bournemouth boss Rob Edwards enters the field of play after Tom Lockyer’s injury

Lockyer recovered to play a role during Luton’s first-ever Premier League campaign. The 29-year-old had previously made 14 appearances in the top-flight for the Hatters this term.

 

The 16-time Wales international signed for Luton back in September 2020 from Charlton Athletic. He has gone on to make 118 appearances for the club.

Applause for Lockyer broke out on a number of occasions at the Vitality Stadium as the defender continued to receive treatment. Neil Lennon was also among those to have paid tribute to the defender.