Luton’s Tom Lockyer says he ‘literally died’ during cardiac arrest on pitch

Tom Lockyer said he “literally died” after his heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds during his harrowing on-pitch cardiac arrest in December.

The Luton captain, speaking at length for the first time since he collapsed in the 59th minute of the Hatters’ abandoned Premier League game against Bournemouth, admitted it is “out of his hands” if he will ever play professional football again.

“It was just a normal day, and that was the most worrying thing because I felt completely fine,” Lockyer told Sky Sports before Luton’s home game against Manchester United on Sunday. “I have been looking for answers since but I have not been able to find any because it was just another day at the office.”

Lockyer was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and spent five days in hospital following the incident on 16 December at the Vitality Stadium. The centre-back suffered a similar collapse during May’s Championship play-off final victory over Coventry at Wembley, but was given the all-clear to play again.

Tom Lockyer gives an account of his cardiac arrest and how he has been doing since pic.twitter.com/0DOF37hcPK

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2024

“I was running towards the halfway line and I went really light-headed. I thought I’d be okay in a second but I wasn’t,” Lockyer added. “I woke up and the paramedics were there. I knew instantly it was different to my collapse in May. Last time it felt like I woke up from a dream, and this time I woke up from nothingness.”

“I could see there was more panic and I was a bit disorientated. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move. I was trying to work out what was happening, and I remember thinking, ‘I could be dying here.’ It was a surreal thought to have, not being able to respond, and you can see the panic going on.

Lockyer’s voice cracked as he continued: “I could feel them put the drip in my arm and it was a hard mix of emotions. Eventually I came round and I was able to speak and to respond. When I felt okay, it was then a relief I was alive.”

“Following what happened in May, I have a recording device in my chest, and I was out for two minutes and 40 (seconds),” the 29-year-old continued. “It was hardest on my family having to watch that. They had it worse than me. My old man was there [at the match] and my girlfriend was seven months pregnant at the time.

“My mum was at home listening on the radio. She went off to make a cup of tea after Bournemouth scored, and when she came back my brother had turned the radio off. She asked why, and he had to say to her that [I had] gone down off the ball again. This is the bigger picture that people don’t see and that is the hardest part to deal with.

“I am not going to lie, it has been a tough couple of months,” Lockyer admitted. “I don’t know if I have processed what happened. I don’t know if it will come back and bite me on the bum, but I have not had any emotions since what happened. I literally died but I have been numb to the whole thing since.”

Lockyer also praised the Luton manager, Rob Edwards, for his support. “I couldn’t speak any higher of the man if I tried,” he said. “He has been to see me and my family, and it just shows the incredible human he is. It makes you want to run through brick walls for him – although obviously that’s hard for me to do at the minute.”

Lockyer, who has earned 16 caps for Wales, hopes he will be able to return to top-flight football eventually, but will be subjected to further tests. “I am going to be dictated to by the medical staff and specialists. If there’s a chance I could play again – and I am not going to do anything against medical advice – then I would love to.”

“But it is far too early so say. There are tests that have to happen in the background. But I wouldn’t write it off yet,” added Lockyer, who began his youth career with his hometown club, Cardiff, and played in the Football League for Bristol Rovers and Charlton.

“If I am not allowed to play again then I can say I captained Luton and scored a goal in the Premier League,” he concluded. “I am very fortunate that I have had high moments in my career and scoring a Premier League goal is something you dream of as a kid. I am incredibly grateful to be alive. I have the device fitted now, and I almost feel invincible.”