WYCOMBE WANDERERS home clash with Blackpool was delayed after an air ambulance was forced to land on their pitch.
The Chairboys returned to top spot in League One with a 2-1 victory over the Seasiders.
The Thames Valley Air Ambulance helicopter lands on the pitch at Adams Park, home of Wycombe WanderersCredit: Getty Images
The emergency services were called into action after a male fan was taken ill in one of the stadium loungesCredit: Getty Images
Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the man who was taken critically ill and his family.
“Compared to that, the delay in kick-off was a minor thing.”
Blackpool chief Simon Grayson praised the paramedics at the ground for doing a “fantastic job.”
He added: “We wish the man who was taken ill a speedy recovery.
“We can’t blame the delay for our awful first-half show. Wycombe were straight off the blocks, so it didn’t affect them.”
Less than an hour before the game the pre-match action was soon cut-short as emergency services raced into action.
Both squads were out on the Adams Park pitch warming up for the 7.45pm kick-off.
Then the call came for the players to leave the pitch immediately as the chopper circled above around 7.25pm.
Wycombe kept supporters updated with the ongoing developments via Twitter.
They firstly wrote: “Kick-off will be delayed due to a medical emergency requiring an air ambulance to land on the pitch.”
That was followed with: “There are no further details or timescales available at this stage.”
And then they tweeted: “We can confirm a male supporter has been taken ill in one of the lounges and an air ambulance is on the scene.”
Fans waiting to discover whether the game would eventually go ahead received the news it would take place moments before 8.30pm.
The game eventually got underway at 8.50pm.
A Wycombe tweet said: “A supporter has been taken ill and is en route to hospital for further treatment.
“Following consultation between both clubs and the match officials, it has been unanimously agreed that the game WILL be played and will kick off at 8.50pm.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
