Defibrillator Purchased Following Player’s Collapse Reported Missing

A defibrillator, acquired through charitable contributions following footballer Tom Lockyer’s on-pitch collapse during a Premier League match, is reportedly unaccounted for. Ollie Kay, host of the OK Football Show podcast, stated that one of the two vital defibrillators positioned outside the club’s Kenilworth Road stadium was “not where it was supposed to be.” These units were procured with money generated from an appeal initiated after former Luton captain Lockyer experienced a cardiac arrest during a game against Bournemouth in December 2023. Luton Town issued a request for anyone with knowledge of its whereabouts to “return it to its rightful place as soon as possible.” Mr. Kay specified that one device was located near the ticket office, while the other, the one now missing, was situated in an area known as the Kenilworth apron. He expressed his belief that it “went walkabout” at some point between May and June. “I am frustrated that one of the defibrillators is now not where it’s supposed to be,” he commented. “These were installed with the aim of being there in case of emergency, not just for the local community, but also for fans on match days in case the worst ever were to happen,” he added. “Everyone came together to make this happen and it was wonderful.” He further appealed, “If it were taken with the purpose of using it, but simply forgotten to be put back, all I ask is ‘please, it’s not too late to return it’.” Peter Coulson, the district manager for St John Ambulance in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, informed the BBC that alerts regarding a defibrillator’s removal are only generated if its serial number has been registered with an emergency service. The circumstances surrounding the missing device, specifically whether it was stolen or used and subsequently not returned, remain unclear. Mr. Coulson noted that a St John Ambulance unit has been provided as a temporary replacement, which he mentioned incurs significant maintenance costs. Luton Town confirmed that the two defibrillators were acquired through the generosity of their supporters. A spokesperson stated, “We were made aware that the defibrillator located at the Kenilworth Road end of the stadium had been taken and not returned.” The spokesperson added, “Once used, they are usually repatriated with the St John Ambulance (SJA), but sadly that has not happened in this case.” They further noted, “Thanks to the SJA, there is currently a replacement in position at the Kenilworth Road end, as well as the other one situated outside the ticket office at the top of Oak Road, and we echo the calls for anyone who knows where the original defibrillator is to return it to its rightful place as soon as possible.” Bedfordshire Police has been contacted for a statement.