Tears as rising football star dies during match
BYSTANDERS battled in vain to save a promising young footballer who collapsed and died during a match.
Jamie Skinner, 13, was playing for Edinburgh’s Tynecastle FC against Spartans FC when he fell ill yesterday morning on the Saughton Astro pitch in the city.
Despite the best efforts of parents and medics who rushed to his aid, the talented Liberton High School pupil later died.
A witness, who asked not to be named, said: “When he took unwell people at the game started pumping his chest but he never woke. The ambulance crews took over but he never made it.”
Jamie recently joined the Under 14s squad from Hearts.
When he took unwell people at the game started pumping his chest but he never woke
Emergency services were called at 11.50am – 50 minutes after the game kicked off. Jamie was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead. In an official statement Tynecastle FC said: “Although Jamie was new to our Tynecastle family, he was a prospect who undoubtedly would have had a bright future in the game.
“No words can fully express our grief. We can only pass on all our thoughts and prayers to friends and family and hope they will get some strength from the outpouring of love and support from everyone.”
Police are carrying out inquiries, and there will be a post-mortem examination.
Although Jamie’s cause of death has not yet been determined, it will renew calls from campaigners who have long called for Scottish children to be routinely screened to uncover underlying heart problems.
Stoke City and Scotland international Charlie Adam wrote: “Thoughts go out to the family of Jamie Skinner, who sadly died playing football today. RIP.”
Derby County striker Johnny Russell said: “Such horrible horrible news about the young lad Jamie Skinner at Hearts. Thoughts are with him, family and friends.”
