The Christians' drummer has cardiac arrest on Liverpool waterfront stage

The Liverpool music scene was rocked when a drummer collapsed on stage during a festival performance, suffering a cardiac arrest in front of thousands of fans. Lionel Duke of The Christians fell ill while the band was supporting Sting at the On The Waterfront festival in Liverpool. The 58-year-old drummer was rushed to the city’s Heart and Chest Hospital, where he underwent an operation and was placed in an induced coma.

Lead singer Gary Christian called for help when Duke collapsed on stage, with medics quickly intervening. Manager Emma Roberts described the incident as a shock, noting that Duke was a very fit individual who regularly swam. The band had just finished performing two songs and were scheduled to perform their biggest hit, Harvest for the World, before Duke fell ill. The festival, featuring headliner Sting, was put on hold as Duke received medical attention.

Despite the interruption, Sting proceeded with his set after receiving permission from The Christians. Fans recounted the unnerving moment when the performance abruptly stopped and screens were raised to block the stage. A sign was displayed to inform the audience that medical staff were assisting the performer. The incident left attendees feeling a range of emotions, with one fan describing it as a frightening experience and another highlighting the professionalism of the event staff and the support shown by the crowd.

Messages of love, prayers, and well wishes poured in for Duke and his family from fans and well-wishers. The Christians, an iconic band from the 1980s, gained popularity with their self-titled debut album reaching number two on the UK charts. The On The Waterfront festival, which attracted 45,000 attendees last year, faced a somber moment as Duke’s health scare temporarily halted the musical festivities

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