‘Medical emergency involving a fan’ delays kick-off in West Brom’s clash against Bristol City at The Hawthorns by 15 minutes… with supporter taken ill inside the ground days after Newcastle cardiac arrest incident
- The stricken supporter was quickly tended to by medical staff at The Hawthorns
- Fans inside the ground claimed on social media they were ‘smiling and clapping’
- West Brom revealed kick-off against Bristol City would be temporarily delayed
- The incident happened just days after a Newcastle fan suffered a cardiac arrest
Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes in West Brom’s Championship fixture against Bristol City this afternoon after a medical emergency involving a supporter.
The concerning development was confirmed by the club in a social media post ahead of the game getting underway – and comes in light of the incident that saw a fan suffer a cardiac arrest at Newcastle last weekend.
‘Owing to a medical emergency involving a fan inside the stadium, kick-off has been delayed by 15 minutes,’ West Brom’s tweet read. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the supporter. We’re all with you.’
A medical team was required to help the stricken supporter, who was then placed onto a stretcher, pictures from inside The Hawthorns have revealed.
Kick-off was briefly delayed at West Brom after a ‘medical emergency’ involving a supporter
Bristol City have also shared their support, saying: ‘The thoughts of Bristol City are with those affected.’
Thankfully, there were positive signs when the fan was taken away, with supporters claiming they were seen ‘smiling and clapping’ while they were ‘sung to’.
The match eventually started at 3:15pm, and Jordan Hugill scored shortly after to hand West Brom a dream start.
The match got underway at 3.15pm, and Jordan Hugill (right) then scored after seven minutes
Less than a week ago, an elderly Newcastle supporter collapsed during their Premier League game against Tottenham, and was revived using a defibrillator.
His identity was revealed as Alan George Smith, 80, and his family said that he is now ‘full alert’ and ‘walking about’.
The fixture was temporarily suspended during the first half after the players and match officials were made aware of the incident.
Mr Smith’s family praised his friend, Don Williamson, who was at St James’ Park with him and alerted other fans, along with those on the field.
The incident comes days after Alan George Smith (above), 80, had suffered a cardiac arrest
Newcastle’s game against Tottenham was suspended while the medics saved Mr Smith’s life
Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon and Eric Dier were also crucial in the life-saving operation, with the former asking the referee to call a halt.
A defibrillator was carried across the pitch by medical staff and into the East Stand, and Mr Smith then had CPR administered before being taken to hospital.
‘We are pleased to advise that Alan is making great progress, is now fully alert and is up and walking about,’ Mr Smith’s son, Paul, said via the Newcastle official website.
Newcastle fan and A&E doctor Tom Pritchard (right) and his friend Matty helped Mr Smith recover by giving him CPR and defibrillator treatment in the East Stand
‘He will remain in hospital over the next few days while further tests are carried out.’
‘I don’t know how to do CPR but I think I did the right thing,’ Reguilon told Sportsmail. ‘Dier was incredible and it was the right action to stop the game.
‘In the dressing room, all I could think about was the man.’