Defib installed after player's collapse 'missing'

Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against Bournemouth

A defibrillator bought by charity donations after footballer Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch during a Premier League game appears to have gone missing.

Ollie Kay - host of the OK Football Show podcast - said one of two life-saving defibrillators installed outside the club's Kenilworth Road ground was "not where it was supposed to be".

The devices were bought with funds raised by an appeal after former Luton captain Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against Bournemouth in December 2023.

Luton Town asked for anyone who knew where it was to "return it to its rightful place as soon as possible".

Two defibrillators were installed at Luton Town Football Club

Mr Kay said one device had been placed near the ticket office, and the other - the missing one - in an area called the Kenilworth apron.

He said he believed it "went walkabout" sometime between May and June.

"I am frustrated that one of the defibrillators is now not where it’s supposed to be.

"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 said.

"Everyone came together to make this happen and it was wonderful.

"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, district manager for St John Ambulance in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, told the BBC that when a defibrillator is removed, notifications are only issued if the serial number is logged through an emergency service.

It is not known if the missing device was stolen, or was used and not returned.

Mr Coulson said as a temporary solution it had been replaced by a St John Ambulance unit, which he said were costly to maintain.

Luton Town said the two defibrillators had been bought thanks to the generosity of supporters.

"We were made aware that the defibrillator located at the Kenilworth Road end of the stadium had been taken and not returned," a spokesperson said.

"Once used, they are usually repatriated with the St John Ambulance (SJA), but sadly that has not happened in this case.

"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 asked for comment.