A man watching a comedy gig has died after suffering a medical emergency in a packed theatre on the opening night of a major festival

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

A crowd of ticketholders watched on in horror as good Samaritans rushed to help a man who died on the opening night of a major comedy festival.

An audience member suffered a medical episode at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda on Wednesday night, organisers of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival said in a statement.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email