After a terrifying mishap that saw her crash on concrete after leaping from a platform, a Celebrity SAS star was left screaming in pain.
Zima Anderson, 25, is a former Neighbours actress who has been cast in the current season of the Australian reality show.
She appeared in 551 episodes of the serial, which just returned to television, between 2019 and 2022.
While the newest episode opened with her in good spirits and laughing about how she’d worn the same pair of pants for a week since coming on base, Zima was forced to leave the show following the frightening mishap.
The recruits had been charged with leaping off a tower into the ocean as part of a test, but when it was her turn, Zima landed on the pavement rather than the sea.
A heavy impact could be heard as chief instructor Ant Middleton and the medical staff hurried to her help as the cameras went away.
Zima was then spotted laying on the floor, surrounded by people, yelling bloodcurdling cries.
As Ant attempted to calm her down and tell her that the exercise was no longer important, she was spotted weeping and insisting she was determined to do it.
‘That does not matter. You matter,’ he said.
One of the medical personnel then administered pain medication to the actress before placing her in a neck brace.
Later, addressing to the camera, Ant stated that the tasks were supposed to be ‘as authentic as possible’ and that ‘accidents happen all the time’ in real life.
‘We have to make sure that you can deal with those risks and that when it comes to real life training, you are capable and aware of having your own life in your hands,’ he said.
Zima received a fracture to her right elbow and had to withdraw after being placed on a stretcher and transferred to the hospital by ambulance.
Before she left, the actress jokingly told Ant through tears that: ‘I swear I was going to be a good SAS recruit.’
After the programme aired, Zima released a series of images showing herself participating on the show, as well as after the injury, posing in a sling with the commanding staff in one shot and watching The Holiday while healing in Jordan, where the show is filmed.
In the caption for the post, she wrote: ‘I could not be more grateful to have heard the stories of and been bossed around by these legends.
‘Honestly could not thank you all more for this experience, all your words and encouragement.’
She went on to thank the “whole SAS crew,” the physicians who assisted her, and her friends who were at her side as she healed.
The actress added: ‘Lastly the legend of a group I did it with – all powerful and hilarious in their own way! And thank GOD I didn’t break my spine. Number 2 over and out.’
World champion boxer Anthony Mundine, Thai cave rescue hero Craig Challen, former Bachelor Tim Robards, and convicted drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury are among the other celebs on the current season of the programme.
SAS Australia airs on Channel Seven.
