A performance at the On The Waterfront festival in Liverpool was abruptly halted Sunday night when Christians drummer Lionel Duke suffered a cardiac arrest onstage. The incident occurred while the band was supporting Sting before thousands of attendees at the Pier Head.
The band’s manager reported that the 58-year-old Duke was subsequently placed in an induced coma following surgery at Liverpool’s Heart and Chest Hospital. The Christians issued a statement asking fans to send positive thoughts and praising the swift and effective response of the festival’s medical team.
Lead singer Gary Christian immediately called for emergency assistance, with medical personnel quickly attending to Duke. His manager described the event as shocking, noting Duke’s regular fitness routine as a swimmer.
The incident occurred after the band had performed only two songs, before their scheduled performance of their hit “Harvest for the World.” Sting, who headlined the four-day festival, proceeded with his set after receiving the band’s blessing.
Audience members described the moment as terrifying, recalling the immediate cessation of the performance and the raising of black screens. A sign informed the crowd that medical personnel were attending to the musician. Social media posts reflected the shock and concern, with many praising the professionalism of the event organizers and the respectful response of the audience.
One attendee noted the emotional impact of Sting’s performance of “Fragile” as his final song, viewing it as a fitting tribute. Numerous messages of support and well wishes were shared for Duke and his family. The Christians, formed in the 1980s, achieved notable success with their self-titled debut album reaching number two in the UK charts. Last year’s On The Waterfront festival attracted 45,000 attendees.
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