EPL player 'stable' after on-pitch cardiac arrest

Luton Town have confirmed defender and club captain Tom Lockyer is in a “stable” condition in hospital after going into cardiac arrest on the pitch during his team’s match at Bournemouth.

The Premier League game was abandoned Saturday after Lockyer collapsed on the pitch after 59 minutes.

According to the club, the defender became responsive before being stretchered off the pitch.

“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 club said in a statement on X.

“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.”

The score was 1-1 when Lockyer fell to the ground with no other player near him. Players and Luton manager Rob Edwards reacted immediately to get medical attention.

Both sides left the pitch six minutes later.

Lockyer, 29, was carried off on a stretcher to applause from the crowd after the players had gone to the dressing rooms, and the stadium announcer later informed the crowd that the match had been abandoned.

“The Premier League match between Bournemouth and Luton has been abandoned due to a player medical incident,” the Premier League’s official account posted on X.

“Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and all players involved in today’s match.”

Luton had earlier issued a separate statement on X, praising the medical staff involved.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

The two teams came out to thank supporters, and Luton’s players were applauded by the home fans, with Edwards visibly emotional as he walked around the pitch.

Bournemouth also wrote on X after the abandonment, saying, “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.”

Lockyer previously collapsed during Luton’s promotion playoff final win against Coventry City at Wembley on May 27. The centre-back spent five days in hospital and had an operation to fix an atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation causes the heart to beat too fast as the atria contracts in an abnormal, fast rhythm that prevents the heart refilling with blood before pumping it back around the body again.

Lockyer returned for preseason training at Luton after receiving the all-clear.