Timeline

Concerned teammates peer through the windows of the ambulance as the medics try to revive Wilson Mene. Photo: nicksellsphotography

I've just seen Nick Sells' photographs from yesterday's incident which saw Wilson Mene from Prek Pra Keila collapse on the Olympic Stadium pitch and fail to revive despite the attempts of the medical staff present, both on the pitch and in the military police ambulance. Though Nick's pictures are incredibly powerful, I won't publish any of the deceased player during the incident out of respect. However, Nick's timeline of the incident throws some light on the attempts made to revive Wilson. The medic arrived at Wilson's side within 12 seconds of his collapse and immediately put him into the recovery position and initiated CPR within another 20 seconds. Wilson was stretched to the ambulance within three minutes, where further CPR and oxygen were administered and the ambulance left the pitchside 9 minutes later. I understand Wilson was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. A very sad day for football in Cambodia.

The Prek Pra Keila line-up before yesterday's game. Wilson Mene is no 28, far right on the front row. Photo: nicksellsphotography

Dark cloud

Wilson Mene in the colours of Phuchung Neak last season

I wasn't at yesterday's Metfone C-League games as I was in Kampot for a wedding. And whilst I was celebrating in one part of the country, a dark cloud descended over the Olympic Stadium during the Preah Khan versus Prek Pra match. I don't have any clear information yet but the bottom line is a player from Prek Pra, Wilson Mene, died on the pitch. I'll bring you more details as I get them. The last fatalities in Cambodian football were in July 2008 when three players died when struck by lightning.
Update: The details I've garnered are from colleagues who witnessed the collapse of Wilson Mene during yesterday's game at Olympic Stadium. It seems he collapsed with no one near him and attempts to revive him by medical personnel on the pitch and then in the ambulance, which was on the scene very quickly, were unsuccessful. The cause of his death is purely conjecture at this point, though heart attack is the most likely. I believe that his 19th birthday was due later this month. The striker joined Prek Pra Keila this season after spending the latter part of last year's campaign with Phuchung Neak and was previously with Preah Khan Reach.