‘Lucky to be here’: Gordon Ramsay admits he was involved in a ‘really bad’ bike accident

Scottish celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay revealed on Saturday that he was recently involved in a cycling accident, after which he also received a safety warning.

“This week I unfortunately had a really bad accident and it really shook me up,” Ramsay, 57, announced in an Instagram video – in which he appeared shaken and his hand was shaking. The accident happened in Connecticut, his accompanying post revealed. He was treated at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Connecticut, according to the post.

The announcement is preceded by his love for “cycling and triathlon and the Isle of Man”, Master chef The judge added: “Honestly, I’m lucky to be here.”

“The incredible trauma surgeons, doctors and nurses at the hospital who took care of me this week were amazing,” he said.

Then came his security warning – the “very important message,” as he put it.

“(B)ut honestly, you have to wear a helmet,” Ramsay said, waving his hand for emphasis. “I don’t care how short the ride is, I don’t care that these helmets cost money, but they are essential. Even the kids have to wear a helmet on a short ride.”

“I’m glad I can stand here. I’m sore, it’s been a brutal week,” Ramsay continued. He grimaced and lifted his chef’s jacket to reveal a large bruise stretching across one side of his stomach. “And I’m getting through it somehow, but I can’t tell you how important it is to wear a helmet,” he added, wagging a warning finger.

Ramsay’s accompanying post revealed that he suffered no broken bones or other serious injuries, but said he was “a bit bruised and looked like a purple potato.” He also shared a photo of his damaged helmet.

Ramsay thanked the medical staff who treated and discharged him, but added that he was “most grateful for my helmet, which saved my life.” (RELATED: Married Nike executives die when they are hit by log on truck during bike ride)

Ramsay’s announcement came just before Father’s Day on Sunday.

“This weekend is huge, it’s Father’s Day, for young dads, old dads, middle-aged dads,” he said, adding his best wishes and urging everyone to “be careful.”

In addition to being a celebrity chef, Ramsay is also an avid cyclist and endurance athlete. According to a University of Brighton blog post, he completed the 2013 Hawaii Ironman, one of the world’s toughest sporting competitions, in 14 hours, 4 minutes and 48 seconds.

When he attempted to run the race again in 2016, he failed to complete it. He had completed the 3.8km swim and 180km cycle race and was about to start the 42.195km marathon – the final leg – when he became severely ill, vomited several times, became severely dehydrated in the heat of over 49 degrees Celsius and required urgent medical attention, according to The Scotsman.

According to the Daily Mail, Ramsay also ran his first London Marathon in 2000.

Ramsay struggled with weight gain after Ironman races as his work as a top chef became more successful but also more stressful, the Daily Mail reported. He reportedly took up endurance sports because he was afraid of losing his wife, fitness fanatic Tana, because of his weight gain.