Wycombe fan dies from a heart attack after an air ambulance landed on the pitch and delayed the League One game against Blackpool.
A friend as well as the club confirmed this morning that fan Mark Bird had passed away after suffering a heart attack.
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A club statement read: “Wycombe Wanderers are devastated to report that Mark Bird – a loyal supporter, father and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday evening after suffering a heart attack at Adams Park ahead of the fixture against Blackpool.
“Mark, 62, was taken ill in the Woodlands Lounge and treated on the scene before being taken by ambulance to Wexham Park Hospital, but could not be resuscitated and died later that evening.”
Manager Gareth Ainsworth and chairman Trevor Stroud issued the following statement: “Our thoughts are with Mark’s family at this very difficult time and we offer the full support of Wycombe Wanderers in any way that we are able to comfort and support them.
“We were saddened to hear before the match that a supporter had been taken ill and made the difficult decision to proceed with the game against Blackpool.
“On hearing the news, we dedicate our victory to Mark Bird and send our most sincere condolences to all who knew him.
“We would also like to commend the very best efforts of the medical staff and stewards on the scene, including the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, as well as the match officials and representatives of Blackpool for their compassionate handling of the situation.”
Breaking news: An air ambulance has landed on the pitch at Adams Park. Wycombe’s match against Blackpool has been delayed. #Chairboys #WYCvBLP pic.twitter.com/BVBcfh6mlq
— James Richings | Bucks Free Press (@James_BFP) January 28, 2020
Luke Bird said on Facebook: “Dear Fans, I thought I would wait until the club released a statement before posting.
“My father Mark suffered a cardiac arrest in the Woodlands Lounge before the game yesterday evening. He was sat sipping a beer with his friends, chatting about which pub they were going to go to on Saturday.
The CPR he received from the initial response, through to the paramedics and emergency doctors was amazing and gave him the biggest fighting chance of pulling through. He fought all the way to hospital, but shortly after arriving was pronounced dead.
“My father has been a season ticket holder for longer than I can remember, bringing me to my first game almost 30 years ago. It was a sudden but apt end, being at one of his biggest passions in life, with his friends at Wycombe Wanderers.
“He leaves behind a girlfriend, 2 children and 4 grandchildren who absolutely adore him.”
Both squads were warming up on the pitch ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off, before the helicopter landed at around 7.25pm after a call was given for players to leave the pitch immediately.
The game eventually got underway at 8:50pm with Wanderers winning 2-1.
Fans paid tribute after finding out that a Wycombe fan dies from a heart attack…
RIP Mark, no one deserves this
— Aimee (@AimeeOUFC) January 29, 2020
From @BlackpoolFC supporter who was there last night, very sad news. We all hoped he’d pull through, thoughts with his family #RIP
— walshybfc (@walshybfc) January 29, 2020
Terrible news, thoughts go to his family at this tragic time. BFC fan
— Paul Hinde (@Hindu26) January 29, 2020
Minutes applause at mk for mark
— Suzanne Mccloud (@suemccloud1) January 29, 2020
Puts yesterday in perspective. RIP from a Blackpool fan. Tragic ??
— Shoot jerk (@oldathers) January 29, 2020
RIP Mark. My condolences go out to his family. Such sad news.
— Stu Mac (@Stfc26stu) January 29, 2020
RIP from everyone at Barnsley
— Matty?? (@mattdogbfc) January 29, 2020
Always awful to hear about a fan who goes to a footy match and never comes home. #RIPMark from an #oufc fan ??
— G . H (@georgeoufc93) January 29, 2020
It puts our moaning into perspective. Very saddened to hear this and we send our thoughts to the family of Mark. RIP
— Back Henry Street (@BackHenryStreet) January 29, 2020
RIP ?? from an Oxford fan
— Jason Lee (@ForeverAYellow) January 29, 2020
A like button doesn't feel right on this one. No one should ever go to a football game and not make it home.
Credit to both clubs for how it was dealt with and condolences to the family.
RIP Mark ? https://t.co/IjIiPryG5G
— George Hipgrave (@George_Hipgrave) January 29, 2020
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