Leyton Orient fan dies after medical episode at ground

Tributes have flooded in for a Leyton Orient fan who tragically died on the side of the pitch as his team were 1-0 up.

Derek Reynolds, 74, passed away at Brisbane Road during Tuesday evening’s league fixture against Lincoln City.

In a statement, the club said: “Derek was a life-long O’s supporter and he lived in Osbourne Road, a short walk from the ground for many years.

(Supplied)

“As well as being a lifelong fan, Derek was heavily involved in the club and managed the club’s tannoy system during the 1990s.”

Around 20 fans were forced to storm the pitch to stop the match and to get the man suffering a suspected heart attack treatment from stewards.

Fans sat in the goalmouth to get attention to Mr Reynold’s plight (Getty)

The club added: “We would, once again, like to thank Derek’s fellow supporters for the way in which they conducted themselves on Tuesday night and acted to try and help the situation.”

Despite medics arriving within four minutes of being called at 9.30pm the patient was pronounced dead at the East Stand of Brisbane Road during Tuesday’s match against Lincoln City.

Leyton Orient’s manager Richie Wellens clashes with a fan (Getty)

Security came under fire for tackling supporters who wanted to draw attention to the medical emergency.

The victim was seen receiving treatment on the side of the pitch yards away from his linesman but referee Stephen Martin urged the game to go on to the horror of fans.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told The Independent: “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.”

It came after round 20 Leyton Orient fans ran onto the pitch and sat in the goal mouth to force play to be halted in the 84th minute with their own side leading 1-0.

O’s manager Richie Wellens tried to move the fans off the pitch but with the victim appearing to receive treatment pitchside the referee eventually moved the players into the tunnel.

One fan Daniel Flewers posted to X: “Just got home and my thoughts are with the individual concerned. We all pray for him tonight. But I can’t go to sleep without saying that the match officials were truly awful in their actions tonight. The poor person was having CPR on the side of the pitch and the referee was trying to get the game going again. I can’t accept this.”