Wycombe Wanderers striker Tjay De Barr has spoken about the night he was taken to hospital following his medical episode at the end of last year.
The then 22-year-old played for the final 20 minutes in the club’s 1-0 away defeat at Plymouth Argyle, replacing the now departed Ali Al-Hamadi on December 29, 2022.
However, the Gibraltarian took a blow to the chest moments after coming on and continued to play despite being in discomfort.
READ MORE: Wycombe striker collapses after Plymouth defeat at Home Park
He fell to the ground at full-time, was stretched off, and spent several hours in hospital before being discharged.
Concerning scenes as De Barr has collapsed in the centre of the pitch. Paramedics have arrived and there is a huddle around the striker #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/T4O4nwqt7g
— James Richings (@James_BFP) December 29, 2022
After a period of rest, he would next feature in Wanderers’ 2-0 home victory against Oxford United on January 24 this year.
Additionally, other than a few tweets that briefly explained the situation by De Barr in the days after the incident, March 23 this year was the first time he spoke openly to the press about that night in Devon.
He said: “I didn’t really collapse and I remember it well.
READ MORE: Wycombe Wanderers issue statement on Tjay De Barr after collapse
“I did OK when I played for the final 20 minutes, but around five minutes after coming on I took a whack in my chest.
There was a medical incident at full-time involving Tjay De Barr. We thank the staff for their swift action and await news of his condition.#Chairboys
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) December 29, 2022
“That’s when I started to feel it.
“As the game went on, I tried to make a run or get on the ball, but I kept feeling a sharp pain in my chest and the referee on the night was really good.
“He kept checking up on me to see if I was OK but there was one moment when we were on the attack, and I just couldn’t run.
“I kind of went on my knees.
“So, when the match ended, it all turned quite weird.
READ MORE: Wycombe's Tjay De Barr discharged from hospital after collapsing
“My chest started to close up and I couldn’t breathe very well so I decided to sit myself down.
Tjay De Barr has been treated on-site by medics and is in a good condition, but will go to hospital for further tests.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) December 29, 2022
Thank you to everyone for their well wishes, and to the medical staff for their swift and expert assistance.
“I never collapsed.
“It was at this point I started to cough up blood and it was Curtis Thompson who saw it all and he called the doctors.”
Once the paramedics were noted and several other of the Chairboys players started to take note of what was happening, former manager Gareth Ainsworth created a huddle around the forward so he could receive treatment.
READ MORE: Tjay De Barr makes his return for Wycombe following Plymouth collapse
He was eventually taken away from the Home Park pitch, with the now QPR boss accompanying the Wanderers forward in the ambulance to the hospital.
De Barr continued: “I just remember being really annoyed because we lost and I actually asked to walk off the pitch but the paramedics said no.
“Then in the medical room, I was told to go to the hospital but deep down, I just wanted to go on the bus with the boys and go home.
He was immense tonight, hope he’s alright
— Erling Braut Hanlan (@ErlingHanlan) December 29, 2022
READ MORE: Wycombe's Tjay De Barr speaks out after collapsing at Plymouth
“But I understand it was for my safety and everyone was looking out for me.
“I’m really stubborn and I remember the old gaffer telling me to go into the ambulance, and the whole situation was handled well.
Just wanted to take this time to thank everyone who’s been sending me messages & support over the last 2 days. Special thanks to everyone at @wwfcofficial, the medical team, all my teammates, staff & supporters. I would also like to thank everyone involved with @Argyle…
— Andre Tjay De Barr (@de_tjay) December 31, 2022
“I’m grateful for those who helped because health and safety is the most important thing.”
Since returning to the Wycombe team, De Barr has featured in nine league matches.
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