When Cantopop star Danny Chan collapsed and went into a coma in 1992 – then died a year later
Chow Yun-fat, Sally Yeh, Anita Mui and Pansy Ho attended his funeral. It was speculated that attempted suicide, Aids or a drug overdose caused his death
“Enormous work pressure and his moody nature were blamed for singer Danny Chan Pak-keung being admitted to Queen Mary Hospital’s intensive care unit yesterday […] His aunt said the 33-year-old singer/composer had been very busy lately,” reported the South China Morning Post on May 20, 1992. “Chan fainted on Monday night in his home on MacDonnell Road, Mid-Levels, and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. His agent, Ms Katie Chan, said yesterday he was merely ‘drunk’ and had subsequently suffered a heart problem.
“Enormous work pressure and his moody nature were blamed for singer Danny Chan Pak-keung being admitted to Queen Mary Hospital’s intensive care unit yesterday,” the South China Morning Post reported on May 20, 1992. Photo: SCMP Archives
“‘Danny has been troubled by heart problem [sic] for quite some time,’ Ms Chan said. ‘He did not attempt suicide on Monday night, nor does he have AIDS.’ Hospital staff declined to reveal Chan’s condition.”
On September 16, the Post reported that “pop star Danny Chan Pak-keung has been moved from Queen Mary Hospital’s intensive care unit to a private room as hopes fade he will ever regain consciousness. The 34-year-old singer has been in a coma since collapsing at his MacDonnell Road home after a drug overdose on May 18”.
Canto-pop star Danny Chan Pak-keung is stretchered into Queen Mary Hospital after collapsing in his McDonnell Road home in May, 1992. Photo: SCMP Archive
Chan died on October 25, 1993, with the Post reporting the next day that “music fans and industry figures were last night mourning the death of Canto-pop star Danny Chan Pak-keung, who had been in a coma at Queen Mary Hospital for 17 months after a suspected drug overdose”.
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“He died of brain stem failure at 12.12 pm, a hospital spokesman said.” And on October 30, the Post recounted how the singer “was laid to rest yesterday, an enigma to the end”.
A fan weeping at Danny Chan’s memorial in 1993. Photo: SCMP Archives
“During the funeral, more than 1,000 fans crowded the pavement and footbridge outside the Hong Kong Funeral Home in King’s Road, North Point. They held back their tears while the half-hour Buddhist service took place inside, but when the wooden coffin was brought out many were unable to control their tears.
Singer Anita Mui Yim-fong (left) and actor Chow Yun-fat (second from right), with Chan Pak-ling (centre), elder brother of Danny Chan, carrying his brother’s picture at the funeral in 1993. Photo: SCMP Archives
“Among the stars who paid their last respects were actor Chow Yun-fat, pop singer Sally Yeh and Macau casino baron Stanley Ho’s daughter Pansy. Singer Anita Mui flew back from Canada.”
