American football star Damar Hamlin has been taken to hospital after dramatically collapsing on the pitch during an NFL game.

Medical staff rushed onto the field in Cincinnati on Monday and gave the Buffalo Bills player CPR for about 10 minutes after he suddenly fell to the floor when a tackle impacted his chest.

The young player had managed to get to his feet and appeared to adjust his face mask, but then tumbled backwards and laid motionless.

An ambulance drove onto the field as stunned players looked on, and the crowd fell silent.

Hamlin is now in a critical condition in hospital, the NFL has confirmed.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott led the team in prayer as the ambulance left the stadium. Many of the 24-year-old’s teammates were in tears, and his mother was watching in the crowd.

It is believed she was able to join him in the ambulance en route to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, which is two miles from the stadium.

The game was suspended – and it has now been postponed for the night.

Two years ago, the football world was sent into shock at the Euro 2020 championship when Danish national and current Manchester United player Christian Eriksen similarly collapsed on the playing field.