New London ― Showing off a large, mottled torso bruise he suffered after a cycling accident last week, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is thanking the staff of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for the care they provided him.

In an Instagram video posted Saturday morning, Ramsay said he’s shook and “lucky to be here” after the accident. Ramsay did not say where in Connecticut he was injured.

Before highlighting the importance of wearing a helmet, Ramsay, 57, praised the work of “incredible” trauma surgeons, doctors and nurses at the New London hospital who treated him.

“I don’t care how short the journey is. I don’t care, you know, the fact that these helmets cost money … they’re crucial,” he said before pulling up his chef jacket to reveal a swath of bruised skin running up from his waist. “I’m in pain, it’s been a brutal week and I’m sort of getting through it. But I cannot tell you the importance of wearing a helmet.”

In a text post accompanying the video, Ramsay said he did not break any bones or suffer major injury but admitted looking like a “purple potato” before expressing thanks for his helmet “that saved my life.”

A set of slides on his Instagram page show Ramsay standing with his bike sporting a yellow and black jersey and helmet. An “after” photo shows the damaged helmet and ripped jersey.

Ramsay opened his sixth Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Foxwoods Casino in July and will host the 23rd and 24th seasons of the reality show of the same name at the venue.

In an emailed statement, Fiona Phelan, media relations manager for L+M and Westerly hospitals, said bike accidents are a common injury seen in emergency departments, especially during the summer months.

“Wearing the right equipment, especially a helmet, can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious injury,” Phelan said.

She said that precaution can decrease the risk of head injury by 48%, serious head injury by 60%, traumatic brain injury by 53%, face injury by 23% and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34%.

j.penney@theday.com