Joanna Lumley has admitted she struggled to “process” her grief after photographer and adventurer Dan Burton died while they were shooting a documentary together.
Dad-of-two Dan, 54, died in a mid-air crash in a paramotoring accident in the Scottish Highlands in September, while conservationist Sacha Dench was seriously injured.
Sacha had been attempting a 3,000-mile journey around Britain in an electric paramotor and Dan was supporting her on her journey.
Joanna told the Radio Times: “The shock was so vivid because it seemed such a short time since I’d been with them both.
“We’ve all encountered sudden death, and the sense of disbelief – you can’t quite process it.
(Image: ITV)
“I couldn’t believe Dan would be [with us] no more.”
Joanna – who wasn’t there when the accident took place – said Dan’s family insisted that they finish the film.
Sacha also said that she wanted it to be completed.
(Image: ITV)
“I was terribly moved,” said the Absolutely Fabulous star.
The documentary is entitled Joanna Lumley And The Human Swan, which is what Sacha is known as, and looks at issues like plastic waste on the country’s beaches and coastal erosion.
After Dan’s death, his family released a statement on the Conservation Without Borders website, which said: “Dan was a beloved husband, son, father and brother and our family is utterly heartbroken.
(Image: ITV)
“Dan was a very experienced pilot, a pioneer in technical diving and para motoring and a true adventurer. He was proud to support Sacha on her journey around the UK in an electric paramotor, to raise awareness about the inspiring action people are taking to tackle climate change.
“We want to thank all the emergency services, the police and the Conservation Without Borders ground crew, who did all they could to help respond to the accident. We also want to thank all those who have reached out to us in love and support. We will draw on that love as we cope with his loss.”
Joanna Lumley and the Human Swan airs on ITV on 1 November, and will be dedicated to Dan Burton.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
