One of the longest-serving cricket umpires in west Wales is in intensive care after he was hit in the head by a cricket ball.
John Williams, 80, was airlifted to hospital after being struck on the head during a match between Pembroke and Narberth on Saturday, July 14.
The game, in Pembrokeshire , was immediately abandoned as Mr Williams was initially treated by emergency services on the cricket field, before being transferred to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff by air ambulance just after 5pm.
He was put into an induced coma by doctors and remains in a serious condition.
The highly-respected umpire, who turns 80 today, July 17, is a familiar face on the cricket circuit in Pembrokeshire and messages of support have poured in.
The Pembroke County Cricket Club released a statement on Sunday confirming the news, which said: "The match in Division Two between Pembroke and Narberth was stopped after a head injury to standing umpire John Williams.
"I’m sure all of Pembrokeshire cricket would like to join us in sending our best wishes to John and we all hope he has a speedy recovery."
Richard Merriman, vice chairman for Pembroke County Cricket Club, said Mr Williams loved his cricket.
"At the moment, we are all devastated," said Mr Merriman. "We are just hoping and praying he will pull through."
Mervyn John, an umpire from Hundleton Cricket Club, said he was due to officiate the match between Pembroke and Narberth on Saturday, but had been swapped with Mr Williams last minute.
Mr John said: "No words can describe the incident - it really hit me when I heard about it.
"John is a good umpire, he is fair and he is easy to get on with.
"It's just one of those things- the ball comes so quickly. You just move out of the way but these boys are so tall and powerful when they hit the ball, it's just so fast."
