PATTI NEWTON

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he’s usually the fierce matriarch of the Newton family, battling through family scandals and Bert’s illnesses with gritty determination and grace.

But now the tables have turned for Patti Newton, after a horrifying fall last week left her hospitalised with neck and facial injuries.

The dramatic incident is believed to have taken place at the Aussie favourite’s home while chasing after a puppy, with Patti taking to Instagram to post a disturbing hospital photo of herself hooked up to various medical machines, in a neck brace and with visible facial injuries.

The 72-year-old was quick to assure fans that the fall and her injuries thankfully weren’t as bad as they appeared, writing: ‘Had a fall and hit my head, I’m so lucky after scans no permanent damage, just a sore and glued head.’

However friends tell New Idea that the accident has hit the Newton family – and in particular Bert – very hard.

‘For years, Patti has been the strong one throughout Bert’s quadruple bypass heart surgery and his ongoing battles with pneumonia –