Reading FC posted on social media platform X to update supporters about the ongoing incident at their Select Car Leasing Stadium in Berkshire. The club confirmed that medical response teams were in attendance, including an air ambulance, just over three hours before kick-off. Just under an hour later, it was confirmed that the air ambulance had departed and services around the stadium had reopened.
According to Reading FC, the nature of the incident was unknown. Traffic built up in the surrounding area and was busier than usual. Supporters from both clubs rushed to offer their support and best wishes on social media in response to the incident.
The match held high stakes, with Lincoln City needing just one point to earn promotion to the Championship, while Reading was looking to further assert themselves in the race for the playoffs, sitting one point inside the top six ahead of Stevenage and two clear of Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle. Reading was expecting their biggest crowd of the season. Michael Skubala was looking to guide Lincoln to their highest-ever league position, with a 10-point lead over nearest challengers Cardiff City.
Lincoln have been on a phenomenal rise in the last 10 years, having won promotion from the National League in 2017 before rising out of League Two at the second attempt, earning promotion to League One at the first time of asking in 2019 and remaining in the third tier since 2020.