A tragic incident unfolded in south-east Adelaide when a club cricketer in his 40s collapsed during a match at Concordia College Oval. The game took place yesterday amid extreme heat conditions, with temperatures soaring to over 41.7 degrees Celsius. The player suffered a medical emergency around 4pm ACDT.
Emergency services were summoned, and paramedics performed CPR in an attempt to revive him, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In response to the tragedy, the Old Concordians cricket club expressed profound sorrow at the loss of their esteemed member, extending their condolences to his family. The club’s statement acknowledged the grievous situation of losing a valued player during what should have been a joyful sporting event. They also noted the presence of the College Pastor, who was able to provide support during this distressing time.
The intense heatwave blanketing Adelaide exacerbated the situation, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees throughout the day. Reports indicated that the match started at 12.30pm, with the heat climbing to nearly 42 degrees by 3.30pm.
This unfortunate event has left the cricket community in mourning and highlights the potential dangers of playing sports in extreme weather conditions.