DRAMATIC events witnessed by villagers in Porlock when well-known former tea shop owner Jacqueline Jackson was taken ill, have ended tragically.

Mrs Jackson, aged 67, died last week in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, after failing to recover from what was thought to be a stroke.

Known to villagers as Jackie, she had retired from running Mrs Jackson’s Victorian Tea Rooms, a popular destination in Porlock High Street for tourists and locals alike.

A Devon Air Ambulance helicopter from Exeter landed in the village early on September 1 when Mrs Jackson was found unresponsive at home.

A South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic team attended and called in the air ambulance crew because of the serious nature of the incident.

First responders from Porlock Fire Station also attended and while waiting for the air ambulance they lifted Mrs Jackson on to a stretcher ready for transport.

Mrs Jackson’s brother Vincent Greenwood, who was visiting at the time, said: “The helicopter was seen over the village trying to find a safe place to land.

“To many, it seemed to disappear, only for ‘two doctors dressed in red to burst through a hedge like superheroes’ as related by Jackie’s husband Trevor.

“The doctors were soon with Jackie and the situation was considered urgent.

“Her condition, diagnosed as a stroke, was too severe to risk air transport, and so she was taken ‘blues and twos’ by road to Taunton with the helicopter flying overhead to land and help if required.”

Mrs Jackson had seemed in good health and spirits only a few days earlier when she went on a family day trip to Minehead, where Mr Greenwood took what turned out to be his last ever photograph of his sister.

Mr Greenwood said: “Despite all efforts, Jackie failed to respond to treatment and died at Musgrove Hospital on September 4.

“As per her wishes there is to be no funeral, but her ashes are to be scattered overlooking the village she came to love.”

Mrs Jackson is survived by husband Trevor Jackson, daughter Nicola and son Christian, and grandchildren Quinn, Lorelei, and George.

Mr Jackson has a long-standing connection with the Porlock area while Mrs Jackson was originally from Leeds and Worksop.

She only moved to Porlock in 2011 to open up the tearoom with Mr Jackson, after the couple had lived for a while in Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton.

Mr Greenwood said: “The quirky teashop soon gained a firm following with handmade cakes and scones a speciality, and remains fondly remembered.”

The air ambulance charity has two helicopters based in Exeter and Eaglescott, North Devon, and a fleet of critical care cars, delivering advanced clinical interventions to patients in remote and hard-to-access areas.

The charity was this week marking 33 years since it flew its first mission.

Life president Ann Ralli said: “I could never have imagined the scale of what Devon Air Ambulance would become.

“It is deeply moving to return to this home and see how the community continues to rally around the service.”