14 DAY TRIAL // French rocker Johnny Hallyday has been put in an induced coma following complications from a surgery for a slipped disc. The surgery was performed in Paris and, at first, seemed to have gone well. However, infection set in and the singer was put into a coma, from which he’s expected to be pulled out early this week, the BBC informs.
“Hallyday, 66, known as the ‘French Elvis’ suffered complications following surgery in Paris for a slipped disc. He is reported to have been placed in an induced coma prior to more surgery at a Los Angeles hospital. The website of the French daily Le Figaro, citing the singer’s press representatives, reported that doctors plan to pull him out of the coma early next week. His family is said to be at his bedside,” the BBC reports.
Speculation in the French press is now running rampant that Hallyday’s condition could have easily been prevented, and that it’s a clear case of malpractice. Surgeon Stephane Delajoux, who operated on the rocker, is reportedly under investigation for how he conducted the surgery, although he and his attorneys have firmly refuted all accusations and allegations in the media.
This was not enough to convince fans, though. Hallyday, who in his impressive career has sold over 100 million albums, enjoys the support of a very loyal fanbase in his home country and some of these fans seem to have taken things into their own hands. According to reports, Delajoux was attacked in front of his own house by two hooded “fans,” who beat him in front of his family (and children) in retaliation for the condition in which the rocker is now, the Telegraph says.
“Dr. Delajoux suffered an extremely violent attack in the sight of his children. He is suffering with chest injury. He was punched one or more times and kicked as he lay on the ground.” the surgeon’s representative says. “The fear is that the violent attack on Dr. Delajoux was carried out by two fans of Johnny. Feelings are running high because of the complications which followed the operation. We are looking for the two attackers,” a source with the Paris police adds.