Rob Edwards applauds supporters after Luton’s clash with Bournemouth was abandoned following Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrest… with the Hatters boss visibly shaken from the incident
- Rob Edwards cheered on fans at the Vitality Stadium after Tom Lockyer's collapse
- The Hatters manager had been managing Lockyer's players while he received medical treatment
- Lockyer previously collapsed during the championship play-off final in May
An emotional Rob Edwards applauded the fans after Luton's match with Bournemouth was abandoned after Tom Lockyer collapsed after going into cardiac arrest on the pitch.
The two sides were level on points with the match tied at 1–1 when the captain suffered a medical emergency during the match at the Vitality Stadium.
Immediately after Lockyer fell to the ground unchallenged, Edwards ran onto the pitch to direct players away from the incident while medical staff urgently attended to the Wales international.
Both teams returned to their dressing rooms as Lockyer was taken from the ground to hospital on a stretcher, with Bournemouth's staff doctor confirming he was 'alert and responsive'.
Half an hour after the incident, the match was officially stopped because players did not want to continue.
Rob Edwards applauded fans at the Vitality Stadium for their support after Luton captain Tom Lockyer suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch
The game was halted after Lockyer was rushed to hospital by medical staff
Edwards then returned to the field and circled around to applaud both sets of fans for their support, as chants rang out around the ground with the 29-year-old's name.
a statement from Luton Posted on social media confirmed that Lockyer responded and was taken to hospital, adding that players and staff were 'unable' to continue the match.
“We are all hoping and praying for our leader and Captain Tom Lockyer, who is responding gratefully and has been taken to hospital,” the statement said.
'We do not know at this stage the full extent of what has happened and what the next steps are, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely fantastic.
“We apologize to all supporters present that players from both sides were unable to continue with the match after seeing their beloved teammate and friend leave in such a manner, and that staff were unable to continue managing the match. have had to deal with the situation in such circumstances.
'We thank everyone for the great applause and chanting Locks' name in the stadium at such a difficult time.
The Hatters boss was visibly emotional as he completed a lap around the pitch to applaud both sets of supporters
The Bournemouth and Luton players were taken off the field by referee Simon Hooper
Luton said players were 'not in the mood' to continue the match after Lockyer's collapse
“Now is the time for all 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 all of them.”
Lockyer had previously collapsed on the pitch after suffering atrial fibrillation of the heart during Luton's play-off final victory against Coventry in May.
The former Charlton defender's father later shared a photo of him watching his side's victory from hospital.
After Luton's historic win, Edwards said his main priority was Lockyer's health.
“Locks has been massive for us this season and health is the most important thing, family is the most important thing, more important than football, more important than this.” said Edwards.
'He's the only thing that matters. It felt a little wrong to celebrate at the time, I just felt emotional.
“The staff were so good at half-time. They told the players he was doing well. They managed to calm everyone down. I supported that and it was a matter of business and focus: “We're doing it for Locks.” That was the message.'