Motherwell's O'Donnell dies after collapse

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Motherwell owner John Boyle described the death of club captain Phil O'Donnell as an unspeakable tragedy after the 35-year-old collapsed on the pitch during a Scottish Premier league match on Saturday.

O'Donnell, who won one cap for Scotland in 1993, was taken off the pitch on a stretcher 12 minutes from the end of the game against Dundee United, which third-placed Motherwell won 5-3.

"Phil was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital by ambulance after collapsing during today's game," the club said in a statement on their Web site (www.motherwellfc.co.uk).

"Motherwell and Dundee United medical staff believe he suffered a seizure and efforts were made to revive him en route to hospital.

"Despite the efforts of the two club's medical staff and medical staff at the hospital Phil did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead at 17.18 (GMT)."

"This is an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family," Boyle said. "At this stage we do not know the exact cause of death.

"Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure that everyone involved in Scottish football will feel the same. Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person.

"All of us at Motherwell are thinking of his wife Eileen and their four children."