Shocking! Spectator who collapsed ahead of Championship Portsmouth Middlesbrough eventually dies

Jan 19, 2025

ESPN 기사캡쳐

Although he made a bold decision to suspend the game and quickly responded to emergency treatment and hospital transfer, he failed to save the lives of the spectators in the end.

Immediately after the start of the match between Portsmouth and Middlesbrough in the English Championship (second division), a shocking incident occurred in which a spectator who suddenly showed abnormal symptoms died. Both the home team, Portsmouth, and the opposing team, Middlesbrough, were in great shock.

Global sports media ESPN reported on the 19th (Korea time) 'A spectator in an emergency medical situation was eventually killed at the start of the championship match between Portsmouth and Middlesbrough.

The shocking situation occurred just before the start of the 2024-2025 English Championship match, which was scheduled to be held at midnight on the 19th. The game was scheduled to be played against Middlesbrough at Pratton Park in Portsmouth, England, the home of Portsmouth. At the originally scheduled time, referee Gavin Ward blew the kickoff whistle.

However, just a few seconds later, the game was suspended. This is because one spectator was in a situation where emergency medical care was needed. The home team Portsmouth club announced on its official social media that the kick-off has been postponed due to an emergency situation in the audience. Sky Sports reporter James Sabundra, who was on the scene for a live broadcast, said "There was a really concerning scene. Seconds after the referee blew the kickoff whistle, an emergency broke out among the crowd near the halfway line, and the whistle went off again."

UK media Daily Star article capture

For the treatment of the spectator, the players escaped from the ground to the bench, and emergency medical personnel from the field were deployed. It was only known that he was initially transferred to a hospital after first aid. The game was held normally again after a 35-minute delay, and home team Portsmouth came from behind to win 2-1. So far, it looked like a happening with a happy ending.

However, a shocking follow-up report came out later. The spectator did not save his life in the end.

ESPN reported that a Portsmouth fan eventually died at Fratton Park due to an emergency medical condition ahead of the championship game against Middlesbrough. The Portsmouth club announced later in the day that the fan had eventually died after the match.

In an official statement, the Portsmouth club said it was "extremely shocked" to report that an emergency had occurred at Pratton Park today, and that the fan had died in the end. The incident took place just before the start of the game, and the referee sent players off the ground for emergency treatment. Despite the drastic treatment of emergency medical personnel, the fan sadly died. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased who may be going through a time of sadness at the club level,' he announced.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.