A football fan has died after collapsing outside an Aberdeenshire ground minutes before the start of a Highland League game.
First-aiders and medics fought for several minutes to revive the pensioner, but it was confirmed yesterday that he later died in hospital.
The man in his 80s, named locally as John Chalmers, fell before entering the turnstiles at Harlaw Park in Inverurie on Saturday, shortly before the match between Inverurie Locos and Wick Academy kicked off at 3pm.
Two first aiders on duty at the game, assisted by physios and club doctors from both teams, used a defibrillator to revive Mr Chalmers — who was believed to have been without a pulse for several minutes.
They continued to work on him until first responders and a paramedic arrived, and he was then transferred by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
First-aider Stuart Gordon, director of First 4 Aid Ltd, was the first to reach Mr Chalmers.
He said: “At around about 2.55pm, we were alerted that a gentleman had collapsed outside the ground.
“While everyone rushed for the doctors, I ran in the opposite direction to him.
“I checked his airway and performed CPR.
“Then we got the defibrillator and the first responder arrived. Then the ambulance itself arrived.”
Medics worked on Mr Chalmers until approximately 3.40pm when he was transported to ARI, but he later died in hospital.
Highland League President Finlay Noble said: “It’s very sad news. The Highland League like to think of ourselves as one big community, so with any loss of that sort, every club in the league would appreciate the sadness involved.
“It’s a shame. He obviously liked his local team, and everyone will be thinking of his family at this time.”
Inverurie Locos have confirmed they will pay tribute to Mr Chalmers with a minute silence.