Comedian Heather McDonald fractures skull in onstage collapse

Footage has emerged of a comedian collapsing on stage and fracturing her skull, after making a joke about vaccines and Covid-19.

Footage has emerged online of US stand-up comedian Heather McDonald collapsing during a show in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday night, after making a joke about vaccines and Covid-19.

“I don’t mean to brag, I don’t care, but I want you to know – double-vaxxed, booster, flu shot, and I have the shingles shot, too,” McDonald tells the crowd.

“Travelled, went to Mexico twice, did shows, meet and greets, never got Covid. Clearly Jesus loves me the most. Seriously. So nice, so nice.”

She suddenly appears confused, her legs give out and she falls flat on her back – prompting wild laughter from the audience, who think it is part of the joke.

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The 51-year-old star took to her Instagram story after the fall to address fans from the hospital.

“So, I’m in the emergency room, I look weird,” she began. “Oh my God, I’m so, so, so, so sorry.”

She then explained that she “passed out on stage”.

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Heather McDonald after her collapse.

The comic was rushed to hospital.

“I got up, I did one joke and I felt so dizzy,” McDonald said.

“You can see my eye, I fell on my eye. Oh my God, I cannot believe this happened. I feel so terrible that they had to tell everyone to leave and then cancel the second show.”

The star insisted that she’ll return to Tempe in the future.

“I’ve never, ever fainted in my life,” she said.

The star’s representatives told Phoenix’s NBC outlet that she “may have lost consciousness because of dehydration” and suffered a skull fracture from the fall.

“She might be released later today,” her management added on Sunday, adding that she tested negative for coronavirus.

The comedian had performed at a theatre called the Improv on Friday night and was set to perform back-to-back shows on Saturday until she collapsed.

McDonald’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comments, nor did reps for the Tempe Fire Department, who responded to the scene.

Citing eyewitnesses, TMZ initially reported that at the top of the show, the comic told a joke about coronavirus vaccines and fell to the floor.

According to the outlet, many thought the collapse was part of an act.

A pair of medical professionals were reportedly in the audience and offered assistance on stage.

The comedian told TMZ that her sister-in-law, who was in the audience, took her to the hospital, where she underwent various tests including a CT scan. What caused her to faint remains unclear.

She added that her head hurts and that she’s feeling very tired.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission