Luton Town’s Premier League game against Bournemouth has been abandoned after their captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
The Wales international defender, who previously collapsed at Wembley during last season’s play-off final, went down in the 65th minute, with team-mates visibly distressed around him.
Players were taken off the pitch with the scores level at 1-1.
The 29-year-old underwent heart surgery in the summer and was cleared to return to football. On Saturday evening it was confirmed he was “stable” and was undergoing further testing under observation.
A statement released on Luton’s website read: “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.”
Medical staff guided Lockyer off the pitch on a stretcher, to applause from around the Vitality Stadium.
Referee Simon Hooper consulted with playing and coaching staff as to whether to continue once it was clear that Lockyer was awake, before a decision was made to abandon the game.
“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,” Luton added.
“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.”
Bournemouth thanked fans for their “support and unity” inside the ground and said they were “relieved” to hear that Lockyer was responsive.