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The supporter who died while watching a Leyton Orient match has been confirmed as long-time supporter Derek Reynolds.
Mr Richards suffered a medical emergency during the second half of Orient's League One match with Lincoln City. Fans ran onto the pitch to try and alert the referee and medical personnel, with the match eventually being abandoned after 82 minutes.
A club statement read: "Leyton Orient Football Club is devastated to confirm that supporter Derek Reynolds has passed away. Derek, 74, became unwell at Brisbane Road during Tuesday evening’s league fixture against Lincoln City.
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READ MORE: Leyton Orient fan dies after medical emergency sees fans rush on pitch and game abandoned
"Despite the best efforts of Derek’s fellow supporters and medical professionals from the club’s on-site paramedics and doctors, Lincoln City and the London Ambulance Service, he sadly lost his life.
"Derek was a life-long O’s supporter and he lived in Osbourne Road, a short walk from the ground for many years. As well as being a lifelong fan, Derek was heavily involved in the club and managed the club’s tannoy system during the 1990s.
"The club will be paying tribute to Derek at Saturday’s home fixture against Reading and his family have been invited to the game as guests of the club.
"A book of condolence will be available for supporters in the East Stand to sign on Saturday and it will then be available for all fans in West Stand reception thereafter.
"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.
"If you were in attendance at Brisbane Road on Tuesday evening and were affected by the events, you can contact the helpline at MIND for support on 0300 123 3393."
After Mr Reynolds was taken ill, a fan ran on the pitch towards referee Stephen Martin to draw attention to the fact he needed medical attention. The match then continued for less than a minute before around 20 supporters sat down on the pitch at the home end to alert the referee to the continuing medical emergency, with play soon halted.
As paramedics appeared to give the supporter CPR on the side of the pitch, the referee took the teams off the field. The match was abandoned an hour after the initial stoppage occurred and as the fans left the ground, the medical teams were still in attendance.
The London Ambulance Service confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Reynolds could not be revived. A statement 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.”
- Leyton Orient FC
- League One
- Lincoln City FC
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