It is Saturday 22 October at the Vulkan arena in Oslo. The rock band “Major Parkinson” plays an almost sold-out concert. – The atmosphere is impeccable and it’s the night of the ages, explains guitarist Øystein Bech-Eriksen to news. But even if the atmosphere is very good among the audience, the band members notice that something is wrong with vocalist Jon Ivar Kollbotn (41). – At first I thought he had a back problem or was tired, says Bech-Eriksen. It turned out to be far more serious. During the concert, the vocalist in the Bergen band has a massive heart attack. – Refresh your knowledge Kollbotn lasts the whole concert, but during the encore he does not join the stage again. – We realized that something was wrong, but we didn’t understand how wrong it was, says Bech-Eriksen. When they got backstage, their bandmate, who had then suffered a cardiac arrest, collapsed. – It was a completely absurd situation. You play a concert with a completely insane atmosphere, and then two minutes later you receive your friend who collapses. The band has written an update to their followers on Facebook and Instagram. There they write that there is a low chance of surviving a heart attack as big as the one Kollbotn had. Bech-Eriksen has a clear message for both the fans and everyone else: – I want to encourage everyone who comes across this matter: The guitarist points out that many will experience being in a similar situation during their lives. Sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest that occurs outside of hospital affects around 3,000 people in Norway each year. About two out of three cases occur in one’s own home. Anyone can have a cardiac arrest, but it happens more often in men and people over 65, according to helsenorge.no. The Norwegian Directorate of Health states that in 2021, 27 percent of people with cardiac arrest received successful resuscitation. This figure applies to cardiac arrests that occurred in hospitals or in ambulances. – Jon Ivar has been incredibly lucky. He got help as soon as possible, I think. – He has played a concert with an active heart attack. It must have been terribly uncomfortable. He is a bull who has managed to fight his way through it, guitarist Øystein Bech-Eriksen says of his friend. Photo: Jarle H. Moe / Jarle H. Moe The whole band and crew received emergency medical assistance. The police happened to be in the area. – I had to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation straight away. It probably saved his life. “Major Parkinson” thanks Norwegian emergency doctors and emergency medicine. – They provide absolutely invaluable help and save lives every day, such as in this case. – A miracle Just under a week has passed since the concert. The guitarist says that the 41-year-old is doing well. – It exceeds all expectations. He has been on his feet several times, and the doctors say he is way ahead of schedule, says Bech-Eriksen, who calls it “a miracle”. He says that the band and crew are shocked and distressed, but that they are now primarily relieved and grateful. Friday evening they were supposed to play at USF Verftet in Bergen. There should have been a concert in Copenhagen on Saturday. Both are postponed indefinitely. – We can’t say when, but I want to play. Now the focus is on Jon’s health. I will take the time to help and come back strong. The rock band “Major Parkinson”. Photo: Major Parkinson
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