'Terrifying moment': Basketball rocked by referee's on-court collapse

Sports Reporter

Tue, 30 Mar 2021, 10:48 pm·3-min read

Veteran college referee Bert Smith (pictured left) falling back and (pictured right) lying on the floor as players and fans help him. — Veteran college referee Bert Smith (pictured left) collapsed during a basketball match and was unconscious (pictured right) on the floor as players and fans helped him. (Images: Twitter/Getty Images)

The basketball world has reacted in shock after a veteran official collapsed on court during play, which had onlookers terrified.

During an Elite Eight college basketball match between Gonzaga and USC Indianapolis, official Bert Smith fell back and hit his head on the baseline.

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The camera and the crowds attention was on the other side of the court, but Gonzaga's Tommy Lloyd immediately noticed the fall and sprinted over to help Smith.

The official was on the ground for more than five minutes before being stretchered off with around 15:44 minutes remaining in the first half.

Smith was able to regain consciousness before being taken off, but fans were still in shock after the 'terrifying' moment.

Oh my goodness. Did that referee just collapse?
— Chris Vannini 😷💉 (@ChrisVannini) March 30, 2021

Very scary sight to see The Referee just collapse on his own.

Good to see him up & conscious on the stretcher after several minutes.#ThoughtsAndPrayers #MarchMadness https://t.co/QrDpLkIP1O
— Jordan Roca ★ Top 99% OnlyTweets Premium (@JRoc23) March 30, 2021

Referee Bert Smith was stretched off after collapsing in the USC-Gonzaga game.

Hope he's okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/WZXo7V7nbv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 30, 2021

Bert Smith, veteran NCAA official, just collapsed on the court. He's now on his feet. pic.twitter.com/BOhBvJT01U
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 30, 2021

The scene before referee Bert Smith collapsed is so scary as he stumbles around the possession before. Hope he will be okay! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/GirPpX37J3
— Ride The Pine (@RTPSports) March 30, 2021

Bert Smith is standing now. Helped to his feet. That was terrifying. The reaction of everyone who ran to him first ... terrifying. https://t.co/AlKDRGwBSo
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) March 30, 2021

Official recovers after 'terrifying' fall

No information has been released about why Smith collapsed, but he was able to recover after the fall and didn't need to go to the hospital.

“Bert Smith, an official assigned to work the Gonzaga-Southern California regional final, left tonight’s game after a medical issue,” a NCAA statement read.

Referee Bert Smith is helped off the court by training staff and medical personnel after collapsing. — Referee Bert Smith is helped off the court by training staff and medical personnel after collapsing during the first half of the Elite Eight round game between the USC Trojans and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“Bert is alert and stable and will not be transported to a hospital. He has been in contact with his family.”

Gonzaga Bulldogs went on to remain undefeated for the season and claim a 85-66 victory.

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