Luton captain Tom Lockyer has spoken for the first time since he suffered a cardiac arrest during their abandoned game at Bournemouth.
The Premier League club confirmed on Dec. 21 that Lockyer was discharged from hospital and had “begun a period of rehabilitation from the comfort of his own home” after having a ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) device fitted.
Luton also confirmed that Lockyer suffered a different heart issue to the atrial fibrillation he suffered during the Championship playoff final at Wembley in May. The Hatters say that Lockyer’s leadership will “continue from the sidelines where his courage will inspire his team-mates, colleagues and supporters.”
Tom Lockyer statement
The Luton Town captain then released the following message on his Instagram account on Dec. 31, 2023:
“I would just like to say that I am doing very well and feeling very much myself after the cardiac arrest I suffered in Bournemouth. The reason I’m doing so well is all down to the heroic actions of the players, staff, doctors and paramedics. I feel thankful that this happened to me surrounded by these heroes. They saved my life. I will never forget what you did for me.
“While I’m sad not to be involved, I feel full of pride watching the boys carry on the battle without me. The fighting spirit I’ve seen in the last three games has given me a much needed lift. I will be doing whatever I can in whichever ways are possible to help the Gaffer and the Club. In what capacity that is remains to be decided as I’m due to meet with specialists in the new year.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is for as many people as possible to know CPR. It literally saves lives, like mine. Please check out the British Heart Foundation website for basics or get yourself on a course. You just never know when you might need it.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support that I have received and thank you all for your messages, letters, gifts and well wishes. Seeing the banners at the ground and hearing my name being sung really did mean a lot to me and my family.
“Finally I would like to thank Bournemouth, Gary Sweet, Rob Edwards and Luton Town for the support they’ve given my family during this time. I hope that everyone has a very Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024.”
What happened?
Lockyer, 29, fell to floor face first with nobody else around him during the second half of the game at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Luton boss Rob Edwards then rushed onto the pitch to try and drag his players away from the scene as the medical team worked on Lockyer.
He was then carried off on a stretcher where he was “responsive” and went to hospital to undergo tests with his family by his bedside.
Initially the game was suspended and it was then announced it had been abandoned as players and staff from both teams went back out to the pitch to applaud the fans. Luton Town boss Rob Edwards was very emotional as he went to applaud the fans and had tears in his eyes.
Timeline
After Lockyer fell to the floor the game was suspended with less than 60 minutes on the clock and the score 1-1.
Attention was given to Tom Lockyer on the pitch as fans in the stand chanted his name. Lockyer was then carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
After another 30 minutes or so the Premier League then announced that the game had been abandoned. It has since been announced that the game will be replayed in full at a later date in the season.
Lockyer, a Wales international, also collapsed during the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May 2023, as Luton beat Coventry City to gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. After that incident he underwent heart surgery in the summer and was given the all clear to return to playing.
Lockyer has been an inspirational leader in Luton’s rise to the top-flight.
