Cricket tragedy: Umpire dies being hit by the ball

A veteran umpire has died after a month of being hit by a ball during officiating in an amateur match in England. He could not wake from coma after the severe head injury.

Octogenarian John Williams from Hundleton, Pembrokeshire was rushed to the hospital after being struck in the head by a ball during the Pembrokeshire County Division 2 match between Pembroke and Narbeth on 13 July.

Williams, who was also the secretary of Hundelton Cricket Club, unable to dodge the flying ball hit by a batsman.

England media reported that the match was postponed after the tragic incident.

He was flown to a hospital in Cardiff and then transferred to another hospital in Haverfordwest on August 1 where he passed away two weeks later.

Robert Simons from Narberth Cricket Club, who was the other umpire officiating during the match, said, “I was officiating as the other umpire… It was traumatic.

“He was a grand gentleman, truly a gent from a cricketing point of view, and he gave up a tremendous amount of his time for the sport.”

John had been serving local cricket Pembrokeshire as a player, official, and administrator.

Pembrokeshire Cricket announced the, “Sad news this morning regarding umpire John Williams. John passed away this morning with his family at his bedside. Thoughts of all of Pembrokeshire Cricket are with Hilary and the boys at this difficult and sad time.”

Sad news this morning regarding umpire John Williams.

John passed away this morning with his family at his bedside. Thoughts of all of Pembrokeshire Cricket are with Hilary and the boys at this difficult and sad time

— Pembrokeshire Cricket 🏏 (@PembsCricket) August 15, 2019

A CRICKET umpire is in a coma after he was hit on the head by a ball.
Veteran John Williams, 80, secretary of Hundleton County Cricket…https://t.co/i7RNFCGnKf pic.twitter.com/4F6FbI4hi5

— Networkofnews UK (@NetworkofnewsUK) July 16, 2019