Brighton Fan Passes Away After Fulham Match Despite Swift Medical Response
Tragedy struck at the Amex Stadium on Saturday when a 72-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion supporter sadly passed away following the conclusion of the club’s Premier League game against Fulham.
The man fell unwell in the second half while seated in the East Stand Upper. Despite immediate intervention from emergency services, club doctors, and stewards, efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Paul Barber, Brighton’s chief executive and deputy chairman, expressed the club’s sorrow in a statement.
This was an incredibly sad end to the match this afternoon, and our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of the gentleman who lost his life. While the gentleman concerned is foremost in our minds, we are also aware that it was an emotional and distressing situation for staff and supporters in the direct vicinity. Over the coming days we will ensure those affected are properly supported.
South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics, St John’s Ambulance, Sussex Police, and the club’s medical staff worked together in a coordinated emergency response.
Prolonged CPR and defibrillation were administered on-site, with privacy screens quickly put in place to give the medical team space to operate.
Club officials, alongside Sussex Police and the Premier League, considered halting the match. However, since the majority of supporters and players were unaware of the situation, the decision was made not to stop play to allow resuscitation attempts to continue without disruption.
Club doctor and emergency medicine consultant Dr. Rob Galloway praised the professionalism of those involved, despite the tragic outcome.
Firstly, I would like to convey my condolences and sympathies to the gentleman’s family and friends. It was a tragic outcome, but from an emergency response perspective, the medical care was exemplary, and the professionalism of club stewards and Sussex Police provided the medical team with the best possible working environment.”
The club has promised to offer support to both the bereaved family and those supporters and staff who were directly affected by the incident.