Bouncer dies after punching in New York bar on Christmas Eve

A bouncer has died after being put into a coma by an enraged man outside a bar in Chelsea on Christmas Eve, police said on Monday.

Duane Patterson, 61, was working at Billymark’s West Bar on Ninth Avenue near West 29th Street when he and a man inside began fighting around 3 a.m. on Dec. 24, cops said.

The fight spilled outside, where the suspect punched Patterson in the face, knocking him to the ground, where he hit his head. A bartender found him unconscious and called 911.

Patterson, of Fort George, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was first listed in critical condition with a fractured skull. He spent several days in a coma, and police confirmed on Monday that he had succumbed to his injuries.

“Duane suffered head trauma and was in a coma for four days,” his daughter, Arianna Buchholz, said in a GoFundMe post.

“The intensive care he received was unfortunately not enough to revive his spirit,” she wrote. “The family needs emotional and financial support during this devastating time.”

Buchholz described her father – who was an organ donor – as “such a strong and honorable person” who “was always quick to make us laugh”.

The gendarmes are still trying to find the suspect, who fled on foot.

He is described as a dark-skinned man, between 40 and 50 years old, bald and of large build.

He was last seen wearing a red Champion hoodie, black jacket, black pants, and black sneakers.

Police were unaware of the circumstances leading to the deadly row.