“Lucky to be here”: Gordon Ramsay speaks out after “really bad” bicycle accident

(WHTM) – Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay shared an “important message” with his fans on social media following a serious bicycle accident.

Ramsay took to social media to post photos and a video detailing the “really bad accident” in Connecticut.

“It really shook me up, and honestly I’m glad to be here,” he said, sharing before and after pictures of his ride that show a broken helmet and torn riding shirt. Throughout the video, which can be seen on Instagram, Ramsay appears visibly shaken.

“I’m OK, I didn’t break any bones or sustain any major injuries, but I’m a little bruised and look like a purple potato,” Ramsay said. “I’m grateful to all the doctors, nurses and staff at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London who took care of me and checked me over, but I’m most grateful for my helmet, which saved my life.”

“I’m in pain. It’s been a brutal week, but I’m getting through it somehow,” he added, lifting his famous chef’s jacket to reveal the left side of his stomach, which was covered in a dark purple bruise.

The 57-year-old father of six added that regardless of the distance of the journey or age, it is important to wear a helmet when cycling.

Ramsay did not provide any further details about the incident.

Ramsay is a restaurant owner and host of over a dozen television shows, has competed in multiple triathlons, and often shares pictures of himself cycling along with snapshots of his culinary creations.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 423,100 bicycle injuries were treated in emergency rooms in 2021. The majority of these involved people under 18 and people 50 and older. However, the commission states that the number of bicycle injuries decreased by 35% in 2020 compared to 1973.

It is recommended that bicycle helmets be worn low on the forehead, sit evenly on the head and be used with a tight chin strap.