Drummer of Sting support act The Christians suffers 'cardiac arrest' onstage in Liverpool
The Christians were playing at Liverpool's On The Waterfront event on Sunday 22 June, when drummer Lionel Duke suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on social media following the incident, the band said: "Thank you so much for all the many many messages regarding our drummer Lionel Duke who suffered a cardiac arrest while performing at tonight's amazing concert ahead of Sting."We are awaiting news from the Heart and Chest hospital at Broad Green and thank the phenomenal team of medics present from On The Waterfront Liverpool team who stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel.
"Please send positive vibes his way."
The band were performing ahead of Sting for the packed event at the Pier Head. The band's lead singer Garry Christian shouted for medics and a black screen was put up. The band's manager Emma Bridget appeared on stage shortly after to update the thousands in the crowd.
She said: "We were so looking forward to tonight it was going to be the big gig of the year and our lovely drummer has had a cardiac arrest.'They've done four rounds of CPR on him. We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much.'I'm just so sorry because Garry loves Liverpool and he wanted to put on the show of his life and we're really devastated but thank you so much.'
Fans of the Liverpool-based band expressed their support. Mike Landsborough said: "I was at the gig in the front seen it all unfold. What swift action by his band and first aid responders and the event staff for making it dignified by shielding Lionel with a makeshift curtain whilst they performed the CPR. Our thoughts are with Lionel his family and his band family."The Christians were the final act to perform last night before headliner Sting made his appearance. As Sting took to the stage at 9.30pm, he said Mr Duke was recovering in hospital as fans cheered the update.He said: 'The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him."
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