A football match in Thetford was called off after 20 minutes when a visiting player's mother collapsed and died on her way to hospital.
The Ridgeons League match at Thetford Town's ground on Saturday was marred by tragedy when a Felixstowe and Walton United player's mother collapsed on the touchline in the first half.
A linesman gave first aid until rapid response paramedics and an ambulance arrived, but the woman, said to be in her late 40s, died on her way to West Suffolk Hospital.
Both clubs said yesterday they would not name the player or his mother out of respect.
Thetford Town secretary Bob Richards said: “The team's thoughts are with the player and his family. We felt abandoning the game was the best thing we could do.
“It was a very tragic thing and of course no one really felt up for playing the match after it happened.”
Felixstowe and Walton United thanked the home team and match officials for their “prompt response and assistance” and said their fixture tomorrow against Harwich and Parkeston FC would also be postponed as a mark of respect for the player.
Manager Paul Adams said: “The player is a young lad and he is totally devastated. He was distraught at the game and I have not had a chance to speak to him since. Without a shadow of a doubt the team is very sorry for the boy.
“It was completely unexpected. I've never experienced anything like it and I hope I never have to again.
“She was such a nice lady and I was talking to her just before the match. It was a shocking tragedy.”
Secretary Chris Ryan added: “Everyone's sympathy is with the family at this time.”
An ambulance spokesman said the woman had no history of heart problems.
http://www.edp24.co.uk
The Ridgeons League match at Thetford Town's ground on Saturday was marred by tragedy when a Felixstowe and Walton United player's mother collapsed on the touchline in the first half.
A linesman gave first aid until rapid response paramedics and an ambulance arrived, but the woman, said to be in her late 40s, died on her way to West Suffolk Hospital.
Both clubs said yesterday they would not name the player or his mother out of respect.
Thetford Town secretary Bob Richards said: “The team's thoughts are with the player and his family. We felt abandoning the game was the best thing we could do.
“It was a very tragic thing and of course no one really felt up for playing the match after it happened.”
Felixstowe and Walton United thanked the home team and match officials for their “prompt response and assistance” and said their fixture tomorrow against Harwich and Parkeston FC would also be postponed as a mark of respect for the player.
Manager Paul Adams said: “The player is a young lad and he is totally devastated. He was distraught at the game and I have not had a chance to speak to him since. Without a shadow of a doubt the team is very sorry for the boy.
“It was completely unexpected. I've never experienced anything like it and I hope I never have to again.
“She was such a nice lady and I was talking to her just before the match. It was a shocking tragedy.”
Secretary Chris Ryan added: “Everyone's sympathy is with the family at this time.”
An ambulance spokesman said the woman had no history of heart problems.
http://www.edp24.co.uk
