Tom Lockyer: 'I'll assess football future in new year', says Luton captain after cardiac arrest
Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch during Luton's Premier League match against Bournemouth in December after suffering a cardiac arrest; the defender has since been discharged from hospital
Sunday 31 December 2023 14:30, UK
Luton captain Tom Lockyer has spoken publicly for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest and says he will assess his football future in the new year.
Lockyer collapsed on the pitch in the 59th minute of the game at the Vitality Stadium, before being rushed to hospital where he was fitted with an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) device.
The defender, 29, was then discharged from hospital to complete his recovery at home, before taking to Instagram to give an update on his recovery.
He wrote: "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."
Morris discusses Lockyer incident
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Luton striker Carlton Morris described the moment he realised Lockyer had collapsed.
"It's a strange moment, not something you would normally expect to experience on a football pitch. It was weird," he said.
"I came on the pitch and then saw Locks go down. You don't really know what happened. There's a lot of confusion in the air, you could tell how quiet it all went. No one really knew what was going on.
"But the important thing was how quickly everyone responded, the first responders, the Bournemouth fans and everyone in the stadium. They were so respectful of the situation and the [medical staff and paramedics] did an amazing job because it's a pressure situation.
"For them to react like they did, they did an incredible job."
When asked when the Luton team realised he was responsive, Morris added: "It was about five or 10 minutes after we went back to the changing room. All the players went in to give the paramedics and workers space to work.
"We were sat in the changing room in a bit of a stunned silence, not really know what was going on and waiting for updates.
"When we got the news he was responsive, it's like a proper 'breathe' moment.
"It was a goosebumps moment [going around the pitch to thank the fans]. It puts things into perspective a little bit when something like that happens.
"Locks is a friend first, and a captain and leader second. Just to know he was alright and responsive and in as good hands as he could be was a good time for us to show our appreciation to the fans, the Bournemouth staff and players, everyone involved in it was incredibly respectful. It was a very united moment."
