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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Ainsley Harriott says RHS should've 'roped off' water feature after sister nearly drowned

Ainsley Harriott has claimed Health and Safety at the Chelsea Flower Show wasn't "particularly great" after he had to save his sister from drowning at the event.

The TV chef, 65, rushed to his sibling Jacqueline's aid in May when she fell into a water feature that he has since suggested "should have been roped off".

The culinary star was pictured lifting his sibling out of the water, alongside a group of celebrities, including DIY SOS host Nick Knowles.

Onlookers recalled at the time how it looked like Jacqueline "nearly drowned" after falling into the feature and claimed the star's sister was "coughing up lots of water" after being rescued.

Ainsley Harriott and other celebrities rushed to his sister's aid at the star-studded gardening event (Vagner Vidal/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)

Speaking about the incident at the TRIC Awards on Wednesday, Ainsley stated to the MailOnline : "The Health and Safety was not particularly great.

"They should have roped it [the show pond] off. It was about 6ft deep — quite a drop once you hit the water."

An spokesperson for the RHS told the Mirror on Friday: "We take health and safety very seriously across the RHS, and onsite medical professionals attended to the incident at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show press day within two minutes.

Ainsley Harriott said his sister Jacqueline was doing "fine and well" after her dramatic fall (SplashNews.com)
The star thanked fans for their concern and supportive messages (PA)

"After their rapid response, we were pleased to hear that the guest left the Show and made their own way home and was well. Throughout the remainder of the Show it was decided as a precaution to not allow public access on the garden."

Taking to Twitter shortly after incident in May, Ainsley reassured fans his sister was doing "fine" following the dramatic fall.

He wrote: "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."

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.

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.

Onlookers say Ainsley's sister 'nearly drowned' (PA)

"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 RHS, which puts on the Chelsea Flower Show, put out a statement about the incident, saying they were investigating what happened.

Speaking on the day of the fall, a spokesperson for the RHS said: "We are investigating an incident that occurred on a garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show today.

"The guest was quickly attended to by on site medical professionals and we are pleased to say is now home and well."

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