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Tributes paid to Leyton Orient fan who died after medical emergency with game abandoned

Tributes have been paid to a Leyton Orient fan who sadly died after an medical emergency with the League One game being abandoned.

A group of fans ran on to the pitch to stop the match against Lincoln City to alert the referee that there was a medical emergency in the crowd.

The game ended up being abandoned on the 82nd minute at Brisbane Road having been halted, but the decision to abandon the game wasn’t made until 10:25pm, nearly an hour after the game had been stopped with medical staff still attending to the supporter with fans leaving the ground.

Stewards at first made their way to the emergency at the front of the East Stand, according to reports, with a fan making their way onto the pitch to urge referee Stephen Martin to stop the game from progressing.

Play continued, leading to more fans sitting on the pitch as the supporter was treated and players made their way back down the tunnel.

STATEMENT:

Leyton Orient Football Club is devastated to confirm that supporter Derek Reynolds has passed away.

Derek, 74, became unwell at Brisbane Road during Tuesday evening’s league fixture against Lincoln City.

Despite the best efforts of Derek’s fellow supporters and medical professionals from the club’s on-site paramedics and doctors, Lincoln City and the London Ambulance Service, he sadly lost his life.

Derek was a life-long O’s supporter and he lived in Osbourne Road, a short walk from the ground for many years. As well as being a lifelong fan, Derek was heavily involved in the club and managed the club’s tannoy system during the 1990s.

The club will be paying tribute to Derek at Saturday’s home fixture against Reading and his family have been invited to the game as guests of the club.

A book of condolence will be available for supporters in the East Stand to sign on Saturday and it will then be available for all fans in West Stand reception thereafter.

We would, once again, like to thank Derek’s fellow supporters for the way in which they conducted themselves on Tuesday night and acted to try and help the situation.

If you were in attendance at Brisbane Road on Tuesday evening and were affected by the events, you can contact the helpline at MIND for support on 0300 123 3393.

An EFL Spokesperson said: “The EFL confirms that tonight’s League One fixture between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City was abandoned as a result of a medical emergency.

“Our thoughts are with the supporter concerned and everyone else who was affected by this distressing incident this evening.

“In accordance with EFL Regulations, a determination will now be made by the EFL as to whether the fixture will be rescheduled, or if the result at the time of the abandonment will stand. A decision will be taken only after consultation with both Clubs.”

Leyton Orient added: “The thoughts of everyone at Leyton Orient Football Club are with the individual involved and their loved ones at this distressing time.

“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.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told The Independent: “We were called yesterday at 9:28pm to reports of a person becoming unwell at Leyton Orient Football Club, on Brisbane Road.

“We sent a number of 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.”

Tributes have been paid after the Leyton Orient fan dies in an medical emergency with the game abandoned…

@BrisbaneRdPaul:
RIP One of our own #LOFC
Love and prayers to his family and friends x

@jimmyson82: RIP from a Lincoln fan. It was horrible to witness such awful scenes last night. My thoughts go out to all his family and friends 😔💔

@jm_bell95: Absolutely heartbreaking news coming from Leyton Orient last night. Nobody should ever go to a football game and not return home. Devastating circumstances surrounding the individual getting treatment. Thoughts and prayers with all those involved #LOFC #FootballFamily 💔

@ganty1985: R.I.P. to the Leyton Orient fan that sadly passed away at their game last night. Must have a terrible experience for all involved

@onejaytee: Desperately sad news today. Last night, someone popped out to the football to watch the Orient, like we all do every week, and never went home. Devastated for them and their family. A haunting reminder of the fragility of life. RIP #lofc

@Sian_Skinner: So sad that he just went to watch a game of football and never got to return home again. RIP to one of our own. My thoughts are with his friends and family and all at @leytonorientfc at this very sad time. Big respect to the @LincolnCity_FC fans also xx#osfamily #rip #lofc

@LFClewis04: Thoughts are with the man’s family ❤️ YNWA

@EllenIsabella: Horrifically sad events last night. RIP to one of our own. Truly heartbreaking #lofc

@LOFCSupporters: After last night’s tragic scenes this is not the news we wanted to hear. Condolences, love and prayers to the supporter’s family and friends. Here’s hoping they know they are not alone and they have the love and support of the Orient family right behind them. RIP #lofc 💔

@EuanCarter25: My condolences are with the supporter family and friends at this very difficult time. No one should go to a game off football and not return home, RIP. #LOFC

@KerenOrient: There are no words 💔 😭 Sending love and condolences to the supporters’ family and friends and also to the Orient family who witnessed this tragic event. #lofc #OrientFamily

@West_Stand_O: What awful news – thoughts with friends and family of the fan and the Orient community as a whole. Respect to all of the medical staff, stewards and fans that tried to help last night. RIP. #lofc

@LOFansTrust: Terrible news. Thoughts and sympathies with the fan’s family and friends. RIP.

@EdwardK54212196: Rip to the poor fan no one should go to a game and never return rest in eternal peace and I hope all orient fans will honour him forever many condolences to his family ❤️ #lofc

@RichardSTFC94: #Football comes 2nd to life, hearing all the stories of how the situation was handled at #LOFC #Orient sounds nothing short of shocking! No urgency to stop the game and help… No words!!! RIP to the fan 💔

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