Serious back injury forces 'Survivor' contestant's early exit
On Wednesday’s 37th season premiere of Survivor on CBS, contestant Pat Cusack was in some seriously bad shape after a choppy boat ride back to camp following a challenge. By the time cameras were able to start rolling, Cusack was being carried on a stretcher and moaning in pain.
“The seas are really rough, and the boat slams down on one of the waves, and we hear a crack, and at first I thought Pat had just hurt his back, maybe tweaked it a bit,” contestant Gabby Pascuzzi said during the episode. “And then Jeff [Probst] arrived, and we all groaned, because it means something really bad has happened.”
Probst, Survivor’s host, was informed about Cusack’s injuries by the medical staff and made his assessment. And Cusack, a 40-year-old maintenance manager from New York and part of the David tribe in this David and Goliath-themed season, lost the chance to live out his underdog story after Probst uttered that one word you don’t want to hear as a Survivor contestant — “helicopter.”
“Brother, I’m afraid there is no other choice. We have to look out for you, Pat,” Probst told the injured contestant. “That’s the No. 1 job of our medical team is to take care of you. Let’s bring in the helicopter, guys.”
Despite a very dramatic and emotional exit, the show later announced that Cusack was treated for his injuries and has made a full recovery. We also heard some of his thoughts on the incident.
“To be out of the game not by vote but by pure accident is gut-wrenching,” Cusack said. “But my life and my health is bigger than this game. I will pick myself up off the beach, dust the sand off, and get back on my horse.”
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on CBS. Watch clips and full episodes of Survivor for free on Yahoo View.
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