A man has described trying to save young footballer Samuel Akwasi who collapsed on the pitch. It comes as people across the county expressed their condolences following the death of the 13-year-old, who passed away in hospital.
Witnesses said the young footballer, who was playing for his club FC Cavaliers under-13s, collapsed during a game against WBCY FC Rossoneri on Saturday (May 7) at around midday. The game, that had been taking place on one of the grass pitches at the Forest Recreation Ground, was abandoned.
Dvarne Edwards, a sports assistant at the Forest Sports Zone, a separate sports facility at The Forest with artificial pitches, said he "ran over straight away" after he saw the boy collapsed on the grass, near a tree. Mr Edwards explained the boy received treatment and that an ambulance arrived within minutes.
Samuel was reportedly taken to the Queen's Medical Centre where he later died. People across the city have paid tribute, describing the teenager's passing as a "loss to Nottingham", sending their condolences to family and friends. Kushal Sood, a lawyer in Wollaton, added: "It is massively important to understand why these freak incidents happen. It was a similar incident last year."
The 40-year-old added: "I think everyone want to know what happened and put an end to this circle - especially when it is a child who died. These teenagers are children. A child's death is the saddest thing. We have got children of our own so it is easier to relate to this.
"But now it is a time for sadness, not explanations. I hope his family get the closure they are seeking." Ismail Khokon, a visual artist from Hucknall, echoed his friend's heartbreak and added: "Not only he [Samuel] is a loss to his parents, but also to Nottingham if he was a talented young player."
The 37-year-old added: "The family is more important now. They should be given time to grieve their incredibly sad loss." Noreenn Hafiz also passed on her condolences to Samuel's family.
Ms Hafiz said: "As a mum, I cannot even imagine what they are going through right now." The 26-year-old, who has a three-year-old son, added: "I really want to send the parents my sincere condolences".
Leanne Woodhead-Groves, chief operating officer at the Forest Sports Zone, said FC Cavaliers were "currently being supported by Nottinghamshire FA". In a statement released through the Nottinghamshire FA, a spokesman for the club described Samuel as "very well respected by all his team members".
It's the second time in less than a year that a young footballer died following a medical emergency on the pitch. West Bridgford Colts star Dylan Rich died at the age of 17 after an emergency during an FA Youth Game last September.
