16th December, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed after a serious head injury during the match with Bournemouth on Saturday, as the game was abandoned midway.
The match was abandoned in the 65th minute after the player collapsed.
Referee Simon Hooper took the decision to abandon the game at the Vitality Stadium following a collapse by Lockyer near the centre circle.
The clock was stopped in the 65th minute and players were sent down the tunnel.
Lockyer was given medical attention and treatment on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher to a round of applause from fans to the hospital
He was said to be “alert and responsive in the tunnel”.
The game was 1-1 when it ended.
Luton Town released a statement, saying “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.
“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, 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.”