Ronald Reagan didnt know hed been shot

Late former US President Ronald Reagan did not realise he had been shot, when he narrowly escaped death after a man fired at him.

Washington, June 17 : Late former US President Ronald Reagan did not realise he had been shot, when he narrowly escaped death after a man fired at him.

In his memoirs 'The Reagan Diaries', the late former President described how he thought his bodyguard had broken his rib while trying to protect him.

It was barely three months since Regan had taken over as the US President, when John Hinckley, Jr tried to assassinate him by shooting him in his chest.

"Left the hotel at the usual side entrance and headed for the car - suddenly there was a burst of gun fire from the left. Secret Service Agent pushed me onto the floor of the car + jumped on top. I felt a blow in my upper back that was unbelievably painful. I was sure he'd broken my rib," Contactmusic quoted his memoir.

The 40th President also said that he was paralysed in pain and began coughing blood, and that he realised that he had suffered a gunshot only in the hospital.

"The car took off. I sat up on the edge of the seat almost paralysed by pain. Then I began coughing up blood which made both of us think - yes, I had a broken rib + it had punctured a lung. (We were driven) to George Washington University Hospital," he said.

"It was then we learned I'd been shot + had a bullet in my lung. Getting shot hurts. I opened my eyes once to find Nancy (his wife) there. I pray I'll never face a day when she isn't there. Whatever happens now I owe my life to God and will try to serve him in every way I can," he added.

Reagan, who served as the President from 1981-89, died of Alzheimer's disease in 2004.

ANI