Kirstie Allsopp airlifted to hospital after fall on Devon beach during birthday celebrations

TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has revealed she was airlifted to hospital after falling during a walk on a Devon beach.

Allsopp, 55, said she slipped on a muddy patch and injured her leg while walking with her family from Welcombe Mouth beach, near Bude, North Devon, while celebrating her birthday.

The Location, Location, Location star posted pictures of herself in hospital with scratches and tubes attached to her face.

She also showed her elevated leg in a cast.

In an Instagram post, she said: “Almost every year since Oscar (her son) was born, we have celebrated my birthday at Meadowgate, one of my favourite places on earth.

“We have a picnic on the beach at Welcombe Mouth, a swim and a walk back to the house for some cake.

“Unfortunately, I slipped on a muddy patch on the steep path, and it took a whole host of people to get me to hospital.”

Allsopp said that Oscar ran to get help, and the RNLI and Devon Air Ambulance took her to hospital with “a huge amount of painkillers”.

She added: “I have far more people than that to thank.

“God only knows what I was like to deal with high as a kite!”

The presenter revealed that her leg was operated on and paid tribute to the hospital staff who looked after her.

“Everyone at Barnstaple hospital has been amazing, kind & caring. So many lovely people doing their absolute best.

“They have operated on the leg and I’ll be home soon.

“It’ll be a boot and crutches for a while but I feel very, very lucky that it was possible to reach me and get me to hospital so quickly, and I have a job that I can do on crutches.

“Not a birthday I am going to forget in a hurry and again, THANK YOU to all those who have been involved in my care.”

She also asked for donations to be made to the organisations who assisted her.

Commenting on the post, Devon Air Ambulance clarified it had attended, writing: “Kirstie, we’re so glad to hear you’re recovering well.

“It was actually our Devon Air Ambulance crew who attended on this occasion. We work very closely with our friends at Cornwall Air Ambulance, the RNLI, South Western Ambulance Service and other emergency service partners, particularly in border areas such as Bude and Welcombe.

“The crew who attended would be delighted to hear your kind words, and once you’re back on your feet we’d love to welcome you to one of our airbases so you can meet the team who attended you, and see first hand how our critical care service operates.”

Allsopp’s post also drew a number of well-wishers.

Jools Holland said: “Poor you get well soon xx”, while property developer and husband of Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, posted: “Wishing you a speedy recovery.”

Interior designer Rita Konig added: “I have to say, I thought about this on my way down some steep paths to the beach this summer and wondered what the exit strategy is if one slips and busts something like an ankle!! Sending lots of love. Xxx.”