English Premier League: Tom Lockyer collapses, Luton Town game with Bournemouth cancelled

The English Premier League was in shock this morning, with a match abandoned after a player collapsed off the ball in distressing scenes.

Tom Lockyer receives medical treatment after collapsing. Picture: Getty

Luton Town’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth was abandoned this afternoon after Tom Lockyer suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the pitch.

The match was stopped in the 59th minute on Saturday as medics tended to the Luton captain, who collapsed off the ball.

Luton boss Rob Edwards raced onto the pitch to tell concerned players to make way for paramedics.

Players and staff members from both clubs were distress as they looked on with Luton star Issa Kabore appearing to pray on the side of the pitch.

Both teams were then sent back to the changing rooms as health experts attended to the player.

Tom Lockyer receives medical treatment after collapsing. Picture: Getty

Lockyer was then carted off on a stretcher to a standing ovation from both sets of fans at the Vitality stadium.

After a lengthy delay, the match was abandoned shortly before 5pm.

Luton have since confirmed that Lockyer suffered a heart attack – but he is now stable.

“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,” a club statement read.

“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 taken to hospital in May after he collapsed during Luton’s promotion playoff victory.

He later explained the heath problem had been diagnosed as an irregular heartbeat.

Luton Town’s earlier in the game, with eyes on the ball while under pressure from Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke. Picture: Getty

An official statement from Luton read:

“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 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.

“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.”

Originally published as English Premier League: Tom Lockyer collapses, Luton Town game with Bournemouth cancelled