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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Connie Rusk

Ainsley Harriott says sister is doing 'well' after pond fall at Chelsea Flower Show

Ainsley Harriott has said his sister Jacqueline is doing "fine and well" after she dramatically fell into a pond at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday.

The chef took to Twitter to say: "Just a big thank you to everyone who helped my sister when she had a fall at the Chelsea Flower Show this morning. She’s doing fine and all is well."

Ainsley and other stars rushed to save his sister Jacqueline from drowning as she fell into the pond.

The 65-year-old was pictured lifting his sibling out of the water, alongside a group of celebrities, including DIY SOS host Nick Knowles.

Ainsley Harriott has said his sister Jacqueline is doing "fine and well" after she dramatically fell into a pond (Vagner Vidal/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)

Fans took to the comment section to share their well wishes.

One wrote: "Hope she is ok. Must have been quite a shock for both of you! Best wishes. x", while another added: "Glad to hear she is doing well."

A third follower chimed: "Oh bless her. x"

One guest who attended the show explained what had happened.

They told The Sun: "The garden was packed with lots of people and I think the woman must have fallen into the pond or tripped over and ended up in the water.

"I think she nearly drowned. She was pulled out by Ainsley Harriott and some other celebrities before they laid her down on the floor. She was coughing up lots of water."

The chef took to Twitter to say: "Just a big thank you to everyone who helped my sister" (Ainsley Harriott/ Twitter)
Ainsley and Chelsea Flower Show guests rushed round to help Jacqueline (Vagner Vidal/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)

Pictures showed Ainsley grabbing onto Jacqueline and pulling her up after she slipped into the narrow water feature.

She was handed over to paramedics after being pulled from the water.

Onlookers were shocked as they watched the event unfold, with Ainsley and others rushing to save her, while Nick stood at the sidelines looking concerned with his new girlfriend Katie Dadzie.

His sister fell in the pond in one of the gardens (Vagner Vidal/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)
Ainsley thanked fans for their concern (Vagner Vidal/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)

The RHS, which puts on the Chelsea Flower Show, put out a statement about the incident, which took place in front of other TV presenters including Nick Knowles who were on the show garden at the time, saying they were investigating what happened.

“The guest was quickly attended to by on-site medical professionals and we are pleased to say is now home and well,” the organisation said.

The Chelsea Flower Show returned to its traditional May slot with gardens focusing on wildlife, wellbeing and floral displays to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

Among the show gardens is a recreation of a beaver wetland, complete with a beaver lodge, dam, streams, and natural wildflower planting.

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