Former Bristol Rovers captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest in Luton Town’s match with Bournemouth in December which led to the game being abandoned
Tom Lockyer has provided an encouraging health update but revealed that he “literally died” when collapsing during Luton Town’s Premier League match at Bournemouth in December.
The former Bristol Rovers captain suffered a cardiac arrest in the second half of the Hatters’ game at the Vitality Stadium, which was eventually abandoned as a result with the score 1-1. Lockyer was immediately rushed to hospital where he stayed for the following five days before being discharged.
A couple of months later, the 29-year-old was a pundit for Sky Sports during Luton’s home match against Manchester United at Kenilworth Road. Prior to the game, he shared his thoughts on the day’s events and provided an update on his health.
“It was like I literally died,” the attorney said. “It goes without saying that I’m really fortunate to be standing here and feeling so happy. I’m doing great.
That isn’t something that occurs frequently, is it? It was good to be able to come out and say that I am doing okay because the entire world was almost staring at us. I believe that everyone should be aware of that and witness my remarkable success.
“I felt perfectly great; it was simply a typical day, which is maybe the most concerning aspect of it. Though I’ve been searching, to the best of my knowledge, it was just another typical workday. Everything was going smoothly up until that point.”
Lockyer had been rushed to hospital after a similar incident during Luton’s play-off final with Coventry City last season. However, according to the centre-back, this instance was different.
“I was running up to the halfway line and I felt really light headed and I remember thinking I’ll be okay in a second,” the former Gas favourite added. “Eventually I wasn’t and the paramedics and everyone was everywhere. Obviously it’s well documented that it happened in May as well but I knew instantly that this time was different.
Following a similar event during Luton’s play-off match against Coventry City the previous season, Lockyer was taken to the hospital by ambulance. But this time, the center-back claimed, things were different.
The former Gas favourite continued, “I was running up to the halfway queue and I felt really light headed and I remember thinking I’ll be okay in a second.” “In the end, I wasn’t, and everyone was there, even the paramedics. Of course, it’s widely known that it also occurred in May, but I could tell right away that this time was unique.
“This time, I woke up from emptiness, unlike the other time when I woke up from practically a dream. I was a little lost and noticed right immediately that there was a little bit more panic among the paramedics, physiotherapists, and club doctor. I recalled thinking, “I could be dying here,” as I struggled to figure out what was going on despite being unable to move or talk.
“Thinking about it and being immobile and unable to react is very bizarre, and you can see the panic that is present. They were inserting the drip into my arm, and I could feel it. It was a difficult mixture of feelings.
The fact that I was still alive was almost a relief when I eventually recovered and was able to respond and communicate. I’m obviously incredibly lucky that it happened where it did, but I was simply experiencing it and felt as like everyone else was witnessing it, especially my family, who had it almost worse off than I had.
“I had a recording device in my chest after what happened in May, and I was unconscious for two minutes and forty [seconds].” Obviously, a huge thank you to the paramedics, the club documents, and everyone else involved that date since without them, I wouldn’t be here today. I need the defib to shock me back standing here
Prior to making his first-team debut in January 2013, the 16-cap Wales international played for the under-18s. He went on to make 284 appearances for Rovers. Gasheads will always hold Lockyer in the highest regard because he was a member of the Darrell Clarke team that won back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One and finally rose to the position of captain before leaving for Charlton Athletic in 2019.
Although not many people saw it on the day of the Gas away at Bolton Wanderers, club CEO Tom Gorringe and previous manager Clarke shared public expressions of encouragement on social media in the days that followed.
The 29-year-old Welshman, who is expecting his first child shortly, acknowledged that he has no control over whether or not he plays again. Lockyer had started 14 of Luton’s top-flight games as captain before to the incident, and he has been a key component of the Bedfordshire team’s recent ascent to the Premier League.
As of right now, Rob Edwards’ team is one point clear of the relegation zone, and surviving would be an incredible feat for a team that was playing outside of the Football League as recently as 2014. Though his testing are still ongoing, it is now unknown whether or not their captain will be able to help them out on the pitch again.
In response to the question of whether he still wanted to play, Lockyer said, “I think that’s out of my hands to a certain degree.” We would undoubtedly follow the instructions of the medical team and professionals, but if I get the chance to play again, I will definitely follow their advice.
“Although I wouldn’t dismiss it right away, the baby is my top priority. I must consider my options as I have captained Luton and scored a goal in the Premier League if the medical staff returns and I am not permitted to play.”
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