'Margaritaville' Singer Jimmy Buffett Falls from Stage During Performance in Australia

'Margaritaville' singer Jimmy Buffett, 64, was rushed by ambulance to Sydney's St. Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst Tuesday night after falling from the stage at the Hordern Pavilion. Buffett reportedly fell into the first row after singing an encore of 'Lovely Cruise.'

Following the incident, Buffett's Australian tour manager Michael Chugg took to the stage and told audience members to leave immediately:

After Buffett's fall, fans were asked to leave immediately. According to audience member Dan Bateman in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, " We were in the 10th row and it looked like he did a massive face plant after his encore and pretty much didn't get up ... We were told to leave the premises."

Bateman added, "No one really wanted to leave because everyone was so anxious to know if he survived the fall. Everyone was pretty horrified."

Another audience member told TMZ it appeared Buffett was unconscious and had a gash to his head.

Flashing lights from the lighting director may have caused the singer to fall:

Sean Fogarty told TMZ after the encore, Buffett was walking along the edge of the stage shaking hands when there was "a huge flash of light" along the stage making it difficult for Buffett to see. Misjudging a step, Buffett fell from the stage. Fogarty said he saw Buffett strike his head on a metal strip as he was falling.

Buffett was scheduled to perform at the Sydney Opera House Wednesday in celebration of Australia Day. His next scheduled performance is Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand. There has been no word if the show will be cancelled.

Buffett, who has been entertaining more than 40 years, is best known for his songs 'Margaritaville' and 'Cheeseburgers in Paradise.' His last album, 'Buffett Hotel,' was released in 2009.

In addition to music, his ventures include the Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chains, a beer brand ('Land Shark Lager), and a line of Margaritaville-brand products.

The singer told TIME Magazine in 2007 he would continue performing for as long he's healthy and it's fun.

Buffett is currently hospitalized in stable condition and is undergoing observation.

Sources:
Singer Jimmy Buffett falls off the stage in Sydney, taken to hospital | The Daily Telegraph
Jimmy Buffett Hospitalized After Fall From Stage | TMZ.com
Jimmy Buffett Video -- Falls Off Stage During Concert then Hospitalized | TMZ.com

10 Questions for Jimmy Buffett - TIME