A Leyton Orient fan died following a medical emergency during the club’s League One match against Lincoln City on Tuesday night.
The game was called off in the 84th minute when approximately 20 supporters stormed the ground while CPR was being administered to a spectator in the seats. Just under an hour later, officials called the game off.
According to reports, the fan has reportedly passed away.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman told newsmen that “we were called yesterday at 9:28 p.m. to reports of a person becoming unwell at Leyton Orient Football Club, on Brisbane Road.
“We sent several resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, two medics in fast-response cars, and an ambulance crew.
“Our first medic arrived in approximately four minutes.
“We treated a man at the scene, but very sadly, despite our teams’ best efforts, he was later pronounced dead.”
Referee Stephen Martin initially permitted play to continue while the spectator was being treated, but fans came onto the pitch and drew the referee’s attention, forcing play to be suspended at around 9:30 p.m.
The referee took the teams off the pitch as paramedics seemed to be performing CPR on the side of the pitch.
Orient led 1-0 at the time of the suspension, thanks to Joe Pigott’s 10th-minute strike.
The players from both teams were eventually escorted off the field, and the game was called off until further notice.
However, it took almost an hour after the match was paused to make the decision to abandon the game, which was announced at 10.25 p.m.
“This evening’s match will not be restarted due to the ongoing medical emergency in the East Stand,’ an Orient statement said.
“All of our hopes and prayers are with the supporter and his loved ones at this incredibly distressing time.”
They later added, “The club would like to thank all supporters in attendance at Brisbane Road this evening for the understanding and compassion shown during a very difficult situation.”
