A cricket umpire has died after being struck on the head by a ball. Alcwyn Jenkins was officiating a game at the St Helen�s ground in Swansea, Wales, on �Saturday afternoon when he suffered the blow and collapsed.

A cricket umpire has died after being struck on the head by a ball.

Alcwyn Jenkins was officiating a game at the St Helen's ground in Swansea, Wales, on Saturday afternoon when he suffered the blow and collapsed.

The 72-year-old, from the Sketty area of the city, 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.

"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.

"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. I couldn't believe it.

"Luckily these things don't happen very often."

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust said they were called to the cricket ground at 4.35pm and that a rapid response vehicle had been sent, arriving at the scene 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 accident at the St Helen's cricket and rugby ground in Swansea on July 4.

He added: "There are no suspicious circumstances and a file is being prepared for the coroner."