The former NRL star Ben Ross has been taken to hospital after breaking his arm during an arm-wrestling contest with fellow ex-pro Wendell Sailor on live television.
Presenters, guests and the audience of Channel Nine’s Footy Show were visibly shaken after a regular feature of the staple of Australian sports broadcasting went horribly wrong.
Ross, who won a premiership with Penrith in 2003, “took the strain” at a table with dual-international Sailor in a contest supposed to determine which former player is the strongest.
It's time for our #IronArmChallenge FINAL! #NRLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/0W1Y8hu85s
— The NRL Footy Show (@NRLFootyShow) June 11, 2015
Yet it took a matter of seconds for the stunt to go awry with Ross’s arm suddenly giving way under the pressure exerted by his opponent. A loud snap was clearly audible and Ross, 35, immediately reeled away in pain as medical assistance was called for.
Co-host Beau Ryan, apparently too distressed to look, turned away covering his mouth with his hand while the show’s host Paul Vautin scrambled to rescue the situation.
“All right listen.... we’ll go to a break all right we’ll come back after this,” Vautin told shocked audience members. “We need an ambulance,” he added.
The show later tweeted that Ross was on his way to hospital, but “in good spirits”.
Sailor tweeted: “Just like to send some love/well wishes out to @benross23 & his family after the accident on the @NRLFootyShow - sorry Big Ben feel so bad.”
Ross tweeted later in response: “Wasn’t anyone’s fault mate. @NRLFootyShow were amazing with their help and care last night.
“Thanks for everyone’s messages of concern and also wishes. Will know full extent of the break etc soon.”
Just like to send some love/well wishes out to @benross23 & his family after the accident on the @NRLFootyShow - sorry Big Ben feel so bad.
— Wendell Sailor (@RealBigDell) June 11, 2015
Wasn't anyone's fault mate. @NRLFootyShow were amazing with their help and care last night. https://t.co/7tHwM1lj7Y
— Ben Ross (@benross23) June 11, 2015
Thanks for everyone's messages of concern and also wishes. Will know full extent of the break etc soon
— Ben Ross (@benross23) June 11, 2015
Ross, who also played for Cronulla, South Sydney and St George Illawarra, made over 170 NRL appearances and represented Queensland in six State of Origin matches during an 11-year career.
One of the Footy Show’s panelists, Darryl Brohman, said Ross had broken his humerus bone near his right bicep but was in good spirits.
“It was horrendous,” he told the Nine Network. “Everybody was sickened by it, everybody who was there and I imagine everybody who watched on television would be in the same boat.”
