‘Brutal’ Survivor moment nobody saw coming

“This is heartbreaking”: There were tears all around during Wednesday’s episode of Australian Survivor. WARNING: Spoilers.

WARNING: Spoilers below.

One Australian Survivor contestant met a brutally early end during Wednesday’s episode, forced out of the game just three episodes in after suffering a painful injury during a challenge.

Gold Coast hip-hop artist Zen, the youngest player on the Brawn tribe, noted that his hand had “blown up” after a physical challenge that saw him tackle a member of the rival Brains tribe.

“After the challenge a couple of hours ago, I did notice my hand did puff up, and it is starting to feel a little bit uncomfortable,” he explained.

Zen notes his hand has started to “puff up …”

… but insists he’ll be fine by tomorrow.

And it was even visible to his tribemates, who confirmed his left hand was looking “huge.”

Still, Zen insisted he was fine to carry on, and said he planned to check in with Survivor’s behind-the-scenes medical team and get the all clear before yet another gruelling physical challenge the next day.

But the following day, it appeared Zen’s situation was more serious than anyone thought.

As the two tribes entered the challenge area, there was one notable absence. Soon enough, Zen arrived separately, his arm bandaged to the elbow as he carried his packed bags.

“I’ve been with the medical team all day, and I’ve fractured my finger, but it’s all the way down to the bone so I have to be in a cast … and they’ve actually pulled me from the game,” he announced.

Well this does not look good …

He remains very Zen about it all.

Contestants on both sides of the tribe divide broke down in tears as they hugged him farewell, shocked at such a “brutal” end to his game.

Zen kept a brave face but in a to-camera interview, he confessed he expected the next day or two would be difficult as the reality sank in.

“To leave like this … it’s painful,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking.”

Zen’s exit made him the third player to leave the game this season, after his Brawn tribemate Candy was voted out in the first episode, and Brains player Indy was sent packing in Tuesday’s episode.

Australian Survivor continues 7pm Sunday on Ten.

Originally published as ‘Brutal’ Survivor moment nobody saw coming