US rocker Tom Petty clinging to life: US media

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Iconic rocker Tom Petty, known for such hits as Free Fallin' and Refugee has died after suffering cardiac arrest in his Malibu, California home.
American singer-songwriter Tom Petty performs at Madison Square Garden in New York on July 28, 2010. PHOTO: NYTIMES

LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) - US rocker Tom Petty was reported on Monday (Oct 2) to be clinging to life in a southern California hospital after conflicting reports that he had died.

CBS News, citing Los Angeles Police Department, had earlier reported that Petty, 66, had died. The LAPD later said on Twitter that it has "no information about the passing of singer Tom Petty. Initial information was inadvertently provided to some media sources".

Celebrity website TMZ.com, citing unidentified sources, reported later that Petty was not expected to live much longer but was "still clinging to life".

Representatives for the singer did not return calls for comment or confirmation on Petty's condition.

TMZ.com said earlier that Petty was rushed to hospital on Sunday night after being found unconscious, not breathing and in cardiac arrest. The website said he had been placed on life support, and that his family has a do not resuscitate order.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it had responded to a call in Malibu on Sunday and had transported a male to the hospital. A spokesman gave no further details.

Rock singer Petty, best known for hits like Free Fallin', Don't Come Around Here No More and American Girl, was on a 40th anniversary tour of the United States with his band The Heartbreakers, playing three dates in September at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

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