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FOOTIE TRAGEDY

Leyton Orient fan dies after desperate fans invaded pitch and stopped matched so he could get CPR

A LEYTON Orient fan died after desperate supporters invaded the pitch and stopped the match so he could get CPR.

Fans were seen storming onto the field last night in an attempt to get officials' attention while others tried to save Derek Reynolds, 74.

Derek Reynolds was taken ill at Tuesday’s game against Lincoln City
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Derek Reynolds was taken ill at Tuesday’s game against Lincoln CityCredit: Twitter
A Leyton Orient fan died during a match last night
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A Leyton Orient fan died during a match last night
Fans ran onto the pitch in an attempt to stop the game
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Fans ran onto the pitch in an attempt to stop the gameCredit: Getty

Both sets of players were eventually taken off the field as the game was suspended until further notice.

Derek was thought to have had a heart attack, the reported.

Despite efforts by other fans and paramedics, he tragically died.

The horror unfolded around 9.30pm yesterday during the match against Lincoln City.

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Security came under fire at the time for not quickly stopping the match while others tried to save the man's life.

Nearly an hour after the game had been stopped, Orient confirmed on social media that it would not be restarting.

They tweeted: "This evening’s match will not be restarted due to the ongoing medical emergency in the East Stand.

"All of our hopes are prayers are with the supporter and his loved ones at this incredibly distressing time."

And Lincoln shared their best wishes, adding: "Tonight's match at Brisbane Road will not be restarted due to the ongoing medical emergency.

"All our thoughts are with the Orient supporter at this time."

London Ambulance Service said: “We were called yesterday at 9:28pm to reports of a person becoming unwell at Leyton Orient Football Club, on Brisbane Road.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, two medics in fast-response cars and an ambulance crew.

“Our first medic arrived in approximately four minutes.

“We treated a man at the scene, but very sadly, despite our teams’ best efforts, he was later pronounced dead.”

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