Lionel Duke suffered a cardiac arrest while on stage
The band posted a photo of Lionel at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, sat with the lead singer Garry.
An update has been issued on the drummer who suffered a cardiac arrest during a set at On The Waterfront, prompting medics to rush onto the stage. The Christians were playing at On The Waterfront on Sunday, June 22, evening when the band’s drummer, Lionel Duke, collapsed on stage.
Lead singer, Garry Christian, was seen shouting to medics for help before they rushed to the drummer’s aid as thousands watched on in the crowd. A black privacy screen was erected while medics performed CPR, with the band, visibly upset, leaving the stage.
Lionel was rushed to hospital by ambulance, with the band confirming he was in intensive care yesterday.
But in a new update, they posted a photo of Lionel at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in Broadgreen, up and awake, sat with the lead singer Garry.
In the caption, the band said: “Miracles do happen. Look who I found in Intensive Care. Lionel, we love you man.”
As thousands stood on the Pier Head, upset by the moving scenes on stage, the band’s manager, Emma Bridget, appeared on stage shortly after the incident to tell the crowd the drummer had suffered a cardiac arrest while performing.
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.”
The Christians drummer Lionel Duke(Image: The Christians facebook)
The Christians were the final act to perform on the last night of the four-day live music event 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.”
Fans expressed their support for Mr Duke as they wrote in the comments of the update on the band’s Facebook. Rob Close said: “Get well soon, look after yourself lad, wont be long before your back smashing the pots and pans again.”
Barb Jones wrote: “Get well soon Lionel. Don’t be rushing to get back on them drums….take it easy.”
Anita Jones commented: “Such brilliant news- hope Lionel continues to recover well x.”
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