Sting’s Opener Taken to Hospital After Suffering Cardiac Arrest on Stage

Concertgoers in Liverpool witnessed a scary scene. Before Sting took the stage at the On The Waterfront festival, The Christians played an opening set.

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During their time on stage, the band’s drummer, Lionel Duke, suffered cardiac arrest. Amid the medical emergency, frontman Garry Christian. Emergency services were quick to respond, putting up a privacy screen as they worked to save Duke, NME reported.

The band left the stage and a spokesperson soon came out with an update for the crowd.

“We’re really hoping he is going to make it,” the spokesperson said, per the outlet. “He didn’t have a pulse. He’s got one now, we think. Thank you so much.”

According to the outlet, The Christians gave Sting their support to go on with his set in the wake of the tragedy. Sting did just that, but made sure to acknowledge Duke when he took the stage.

“The drummer in the band before is OK,” he told the crowd, according to Mirror. “He’s in hospital. All of us are praying he’s going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him.”

Following the show, The Christians took to Facebook to offer an update on Duke.

“Thank you so much to 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,” the post read. “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.”

A second post followed, during which the band thanked Sting “for his concern and beautiful tribute to Lionel.”

Sting’s Busy Year Ahead

The festival is one of many performances Sting has scheduled this summer. The former Police frontman kicked off the European leg of his 3.0 Tour earlier this month, and will continue playing across the continent through July 25.

Then, in September, he’ll head to Asia for several shows. October and November will see him play in Europe and the U.S., respectively. Sting’s last scheduled show of the year will take place Nov. 24 in Chicago.

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