Umpire killed by cricket ball blow
A CRICKET umpire died after being struck on the head by a ball.
Alcwyn Jenkins was officiating a game at the St Helen's ground in Swansea yesterday afternoon when he collapsed after the blow.
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Alcwyn Jenkins
The 72-year-old from Sidings Terrace, Skewen, was airlifted to hospital but died shortly afterwards.
The game between Swansea and Llangennech in Division One of the Antur Insurance South Wales Association was later abandoned.
A statement on the website of the South Wales Cricket Association said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic accidental death of umpire Alcwyn Jenkins from an injury sustained on the field of play at St Helen's today.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."
Fellow umpire Eddie Blake said Mr Jenkins was "devoted" to the sport.
The 59-year-old from Swansea said: "He was one of the oldest umpires and he was a smashing guy; a real character.
"He was very popular on the local cricket scene and welcome in all of the clubs.
"Everybody respected Alcwyn and it is a big, big loss; not just to cricket but also to his family and friends."
He added: "When I heard the news I was umpiring a match in Port Talbot and I couldn't believe it when I heard.
"We got a message to say he had been hit by a ball and collapsed.
"Half an hour later somebody came through to say he had died.
"It is just unbelievable. Luckily these things don't happen very often, if at all.
"I do remember a young lad losing his life in Morriston park when a ball was struck in the air and it hit him on the head but I have never known it in organised cricket."
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust said they were called to the cricket ground at 4.35pm and had a rapid response vehicle arrived there a minute later.
She said a helicopter flew Mr Jenkins to Swansea's Morriston hospital a short time later.
Inspector Bob Nicholls of South Wales Police said: "I can confirm that a 72-year-old man has tragically died following an incident at the St Helen's cricket and rugby ground in Swansea on July 4.
"A man was umpiring a cricket match between Swansea and Llangennech. The incident happened at approximately 4.45pm. The male was conveyed to hospital and died a short time later."
He added: "There are no suspicious circumstances and a file is being prepared for the coroner."
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by Chris Bridle, Dubai
Saturday, July 11 2009, 6:17PM
“I have only just found out the terrible news. Alcwyn was an absolute Gent that lived for his love of cricket. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Jenkins family. Welsh cricket should celebrate the life of this great member of our family. I feel proud to have shared the odd smile & a laugh as we have enjoyed our cricket over the years. Rest in peace buddy.
Chris”
by Mark, Port Talbot
Monday, July 06 2009, 7:20PM
“I am sitting here struggling to come to terms with what has happened. Alcwyn was a gentleman and a lover of the game this seems unreal. He would umpire any match you asked of him. I remember him umpiring me in junior representative games at the age of 12 and would consider him a life long friend ever since and have seen him stand in everything from junior games to midweek ,league, indoor league to tour matches to cup finals.
He would never ever accept payment for a junior game he was only interested in doing it for the love of the game and to see young players develop.
He along with one or two others were responsible for keeping the indoor cricket scene in Swansea alive for many years umpiring every Sunday all day during the winter months.
I was very fortunate to have the pleasure of touring with him where he umpired our matches and was wonderful company and loved by everyone and I know all at my club like me are grieving today. He would often tour with many clubs and representative teams from South Wales taking him all over the world.
Alcwyn was genuinely loved by all in the league as one of cricket¿s nice guys in a profession (umpire) which does not always lend itself to being loved by players.
This puts cricket in perspective. As a keen amature player I very often torture myself over my teams and my own performances on Saturdays in the league but this tragedy puts the game into perspective it is only a game!
Alcywn was a great servant to cricket in Wales and I dare say it all the welsh born players in that Glamorgan dressing room will have been umpired by him at some point during there development. I really hope Glamorgan CCC are aware of Alcwyn and his contributions to the game and recognise him in some way.
Alcwyn leaves us liked by all he ever met how many of us could hope to have the same said of us when our time comes.
Many Thanks for all your work Alcywn you will be sorely missed but fondly remembered.”
by John Davies, Felinfoel, Llanelli
Monday, July 06 2009, 12:51PM
“I still cannot believe the tragic news of Alcwyn's passing. He was a true gentleman who loved his cricket. As well as umpiring for 25 years he had also served on the management committee of the South Wales Junior Cricket League as well as being an umpires representative on the management committee of the South Wales Cricket Association.
He will be missed within the cricket community in South Wales.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to his family at this sad time.
John Davies
Secretary Felinfoel CC and South Wales Junior Cricket League.”
by Tom, swansea
Monday, July 06 2009, 12:22PM
“A terrible accident, but who wouldn't rather go out watching/participating in a sport than spend their last 3 weeks fading away in hospital.
I feel sorry for the chap who hit the ball.
RIP”
by Chris, Gorseinon
Monday, July 06 2009, 11:31AM
“A true gentleman. He upmired a game of ours about a month ago. It's hard to take in that I'll not see him around the circuit again. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time along with the players and officials of Swansea & Llangennech Cricket Clubs who sadly had to witness this terrible accident.
RIP Alcwyn”
by Steph, llanelli
Monday, July 06 2009, 10:11AM
“Alcwyn was a great guy and a great umpire, our league etc will be worse off without him.”
by Tracey, Swansea
Monday, July 06 2009, 9:34AM
“I agree with all that everyone else has said, who would have thought that a game of cricket would lead to such a tragedy! so very sad indeed.
My sympathies go to all Mr. Jenkins family, frineds & collegues at this very sad time R.I.P”
by Matthew, Swansea
Monday, July 06 2009, 9:06AM
“This is so tragic, I was driving by about that time yesterday. To think a sunday afternoon game of cricket could end in such sad circumstances.”
by jo, neath
Sunday, July 05 2009, 1:59PM
“my husband new him how sad,sympathy to the family.R.I.P”
by Mark, Tycoch
Sunday, July 05 2009, 1:55PM
“R.I.P Alcwyn. A throughly good man with a wonderful sense of humour and a fine Umpire. Thoughts and prayers are with his family but so too with the lad from Llangennech who threw the ball. He must be in a desperate state and needs his friends and family to support him through this tragic episode.”