A local rugby match was abandoned after just 25 minutes on Saturday after a visiting player was left unconscious following a sickening collision.
Abercarn were leading Division One East rivals Rhymney 15-3 when visiting player Daniel Birt was knocked out by a collision with an opposing player, with officials immediately stopping the game.
Physios were quickly onto the scene to treat both players, before it became apparent Birt needed serious medical attention.
An ambulance was then called, with players, officials and members of staff waiting for around an hour and a half for paramedics to arrive.
Club confirms abandonment
Commenting on the incident, a spokesperson for Abercarn said: "Unfortunately today's game was abandoned after 25 mins with Abercarn leading 15-3."
"Rhymney kicked off and there was collision with our second row tackled in the air. Unfortunately the Rhymney player come off worse and landed awkwardly hurting his neck/head."
"Game called off due to Ambulance having to be called and we wish the Rhymney player all the best and a speedy recovery."
Team manager describes incident
Abercarn team manager Steve Sage told WalesOnline: "I think it was actually his first senior appearance."
"The game had restarted and our lock forward, Lewis Jones, went up to catch the ball. He was in the air and Daniel basically ran through him."
"He hit Lewis around the upper thigh, hip area, which then took Lewis upside down."
"Unfortunately for Daniel, he hit the ground and didn't move."
"The ref, I think, behaved in the right way. He blew up and immediately stopped the game."
"Both physios were on the field in a matter of moments looking after each player."
"It became apparent that Daniel wasn't moving."
"Our physio then said it looked like he was unconscious, and was talking to the other physio."
"They decided they weren't going to move him and instead leave him there."
"An ambulance was rung, and the paramedic arrived something like an hour, an hour-and-a-half later."
"Daniel was on the floor at this time being cared for by the physios."
Player recovering after hospital scans
"It was just a mistimed tackle," he added.
"Nothing more than that. There was no malice. He just decided to make the tackle when the guy was in the air."
Birt was taken to hospital to undergo scans and an x-ray, and it's believed neither have revealed any further damage.
He's now recovering from a concussion and it's hoped he will be returning to action again soon.
"I spoke to their team manager and the fixture secretary. He said he was released from hospital about 1am. They'd carried out a number of scans and couldn't find anything untoward by way of fractures or anything like that. They've concluded it's a concussion and nothing more."
"We've sent a message over to thank them saying we're relieved and we wish him a speedy recovery."
