MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD AT 50
 BBC 26/06/2009: Pop star Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles, aged 50, reports say. Paramedics were called to the singer’s home around midday local time on Thursday after he stopped breathing and suffered a suspected cardiac arrest. He was rushed by ambulance to a local medical centre, but his death was announced shortly afterwards. The star, who had a history of health problems, had been due to begin a series of comeback concerts in the UK on 13 July. He had a history of health problems and had not completed a concert tour in 12 years. A spokeswoman for The Outside Organisation, who are organising the publicity for Jackson’s UK concerts, said she had no comment at this time. US media reports said paramedics were called to the singer’s house in Bel Air at midday. They performed CPR on Jackson and rushed him to the UCLA medical centre. Crowds have begun to gather outside the facility, whose emergency centre has been roped off by police. Jackson began his career as a child in family group The Jackson 5. He then went on to achieve global fame as a solo artist with smash hits such as “Thriller” and “Bad”. But the singer has been dogged by controversy and money trouble in recent years, becoming a virtual recluse. He had three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II. BBC CNN) — Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, CNN has confirmed. A Los Angeles fire official told CNN that paramedics arrived at Michael Jackson’s home after a 911 call. Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN. Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles, California, Thursday morning. Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said. “I can only tell you that the family members are crying and I just have not been able to confirm anything, other than to hug them and tell them that I love them,” Oxman said. Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m. Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center. Asked specifics of the patient’s condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws. The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the “King of Pop.” Jackson had many No. 1 hits and his “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time. |
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