There was a frightening incident at the World Snooker Championship on Tuesday as a spectator collapsed at the Crucible. It took place while two leading female players, Daisy-May Oliver and Hannah Jones, were being interviewed by BBC reporter Abigail Davies. The scary moment was picked up on the live broadcast shortly before the start of the afternoon session.
The man in question was seen taking a few deep breaths before suddenly falling to the ground, prompting concern among those in the immediate vicinity. Several members of the crowd rushed in to lend assistance as others watched on. The man was eventually helped back to his feet and looked bewildered as his fellow spectators continued to check on him.
It was an unseasonably warm day in Sheffield, which may have contributed to the man falling into difficulty. Midday temperatures were in the low twenties as part of a wider spell of hot weather across the country.
BBC presenter Hazel Irvine later offered an update on the man’s condition, telling viewers: “You might have seen earlier on when Abi was interviewing some of the top women players in the game, there was a little incident behind her.
“A gentleman fainted. He’s absolutely fine, just a wee bit dehydrated. He’s now been given a very large glass of water and an ice cream. Everything is OK.”
Spectators fainting at snooker events is nothing new, with a similar incident taking place during the Welsh Open final in February. The match was temporarily suspended and the players were taken off the table while a fan received medical attention.
Play was halted for almost 15 minutes as the individual was treated in the audience. It was later revealed that the woman was able to walk out of the venue unaided, with the WST wishing her a full recovery.
They posted on social media: “Play will now resume. The lady who [was taken] ill in the crowd was able to walk out of the arena safely, and will hopefully be OK. Credit to the brilliant work of security here at the venue.”
Five days later, another incident took place at the Players Championship when a member of the audience fell ill during a match between Zhang Anda and John Higgins.
The match was quickly suspended as medical staff rushed in to provide treatment. Fans were asked to exit the arena but later returned as the match got back underway. Tournament broadcasters ITV confirmed the fan had walked away from the venue.