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 applauded fans at the Vitality Stadium after Tom Lockyer’s collapse
• Hatters manager had led players from Lockyer as he received medical treatment
• Lockyer previously collapsed during the Championship play-off final in May 

An emotional Rob Edwards applauded fans after Luton’s game with Bournemouth was abandoned after Tom Lockyer collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch. 

The two sides were level with the game at 1-1 when the captain suffered a medical emergency during the game at the Vitality Stadium.

Immediately after Lockyer collapsed to the ground unchallenged Edwards raced on to the pitch to lead players away from the incident as medical staff urgently attended to the Wales international.

Both teams returned to their dressing rooms as Lockyer was transported from the ground to hospital on a stretcher, with the Bournemouth staff doctor confirming that he was ‘alert and responsive.’

Half an hour after the incident the game was officially abandoned with players not wishing to continue.

Rob Edwards applauded fans at the Vitality Stadium for their support after Luton’s captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch

The game was abandoned after Lockyer was rushed to hospital by medical staff 

Edwards then returned to the pitch, doing a lap to applaud both sets of fans for their support as the 29-year-old’s name rang out in chants across the ground.

A statement from Luton posted on social media confirmed Lockyer was responsive and has been taken to hospital, adding players and staff were in ‘no state of mind’ to continue the match.

‘We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital,’ the statement 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 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.

The Hatters boss was visibly emotional as he did a lap of the pitch to applaud both sets of supporters

Bournemouth and Luton players were taken off the pitch by referee Simon Hooper

Luton said  players were in ‘no state of mind’ to continue the match after Lockyer’s collapse

‘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.’

Lockyer had previously collapsed on the pitch after suffering an 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 triumph from hospital.

Speaking following Luton’s historic victory Edwards said that his main priority was Lockyer’s health.

‘Locks has been immense 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.’ Edwards said.

‘He is all that matters. It felt a little bit wrong to celebrate at the time, I just felt emotional.

‘The staff were so good at half-time. They said to the players he was OK. They were able to calm everyone down. I backed that up and it was a case of business and focus and, “We’re doing it for Locks”. That was the message.’

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