Footballer dies after ‘suffering cardiac arrest at FA youth Cup match’ as club reveals ‘devastation’
A YOUNG footballer who suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while playing in an FA youth cup match has tragically died.
Dylan Rich collapsed on the pitch while his team West Bridgford Colts took on Boston United on Thursday.
He was rushed to hospital but the club confirmed today he had tragically passed away.
They said in a a statement: "It is with great sadness that, following the events of Thursday evening, we have to announce the tragic passing of Dylan Rich.
"This news has left everyone involved with our club devastated and heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents Mike and Anna, his sister Lucy and Dylan’s family, friends and teammates.
"The club would like to thank everyone within the Colts and wider football community for the hundreds of heartfelt messages and thoughts that we have received over the past few days.
"The Club will provide all the support it can to those players and club officials impacted by this tragic event, but for now there are no further words possible, and we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time."
Paramedics rushed to the football ground in Nottingham on Thursday night to battle to save Dylan, who is understood to play on the U18 squad.
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Eyewitnesses said he was shocked with a defibrillator multiple times before he was taken to hospital.
The game was abandoned following the horror.
The family's local church shared a message from the family, saying Dylan had a cardiac arrest on the pitch just after the game started.
They said: "Mike and Anna have asked me to pass on how blessed they feel with the support that they’ve received from everyone; not just church members but from friends, colleagues and people who they hardly know."
A spokeswoman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 19.50 hours today to a medical emergency in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
"We sent two ambulances and a fast response car, and the air ambulance were in attendance.
"We transported one patient to the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, by land ambulance."