Entertainment
AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen ‘traumatised’ after suffering third-degree burns as social media stunt engulfs her in flames
AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen is said to be ‘traumatised’ after suffering third-degree burns while filming a social media stunt that went terribly wrong.
The Strictly Come Dancing star was filming a ‘life hack’ with Abbie on January 19, aiming to show how a glass bottle could be cut in half to be used as a vase. The ‘hack’ involves dipping a rope into a flammable chemical, wrapping it around the bottle and lighting a flame.
However, the glass exploded during the dangerous stunt and engulfed Abbie’s upper body in flames.
Confirming the incident, a spokesman for the couple said: ‘Abbie has undergone surgery on her upper body and will continue to receive treatment.
‘Abbie and AJ cannot thank all the nurses and doctors enough for their incredible care, support and expertise whilst being at Chelsea and Westminster Burns Unit and at Ealing Hospital.’
A source also told The Sun that Abbie was ‘in a great deal of pain’ and, while ‘terrified himself’, AJ sprung to action to stop her from burning.
AJ, 26, immediately called emergency services but was told that it might take some time to reach his home in West London. His brother, Love Island star Curtis Pritchard, then stepped in to drive them to nearby Ealing Hospital.
Abbie, 23, was then admitted to intensive care before being transferred to Chelsea and Westminster’s specialist burns unit.
The source revealed: ‘Abbie was in agony and the brothers knew they had to get her to hospital straight away to get her burns treated. It’s been an extremely difficult and testing time for them but she’s on the road to recovery.’
Since the accident, Abbie has taken time away from social media to avoid her 47,000 fans seeing her injuries, while AJ has also refrained from posting new photos of her.
Abbie has made 20 hospital visits and has needed three skin grafts.
The couple now want to warn others against trying dangerous stunts for social media entertainment.
‘They don’t want anyone else to go through what Abbie has been through or to suffer. It’s been an awful time as she’s worried about the future and her career as a dancer,’ the insider revealed.
AJ has been supporting Abbie throughout the whole ordeal, including changing her bandages and taking her to hospital appointments while Curtis has also helped. Due to Abbie’s loss of earnings during her recovery, AJ has also been supporting her through his TV work.
The source added: ‘She has been suffering in secret and been completely traumatised by this awful accident…
‘She is struggling to come to terms with it all but is grateful for AJ’s support.’
Last year, Abbie experienced another terrifying ordeal as it was revealed that a hitman was offered £20,000 to kill her.
AJ and Abbie have been dating since 2018. The former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star recently hinted that marriage could be on the cards for them and revealed what keeps their relationship strong.
‘We were best friends before… and I think that really hits home that we love spending time together,’ he said.
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