But the 59-year-old says he was motivated to give it his best after being asked to compete against former Black Fern Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to beat her so I had the ability to brag for years to come. I saw an opportunity to push really hard. But unfortunately, when I pushed, I tore my calf.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon Barnett revealed he had sustained the same injury several times prior. Photo \/ TVNZ<\/p>\n
The challenge required players to use their upper bodies to push against a wooden slider in a scrum-like fashion, attempting to outmuscle the other team by pushing them backwards. <\/p>\n
Both Barnett\u2019s and Correos\u2019 legs were locked in and appeared to buckle under the impact of the pushing motion. <\/p>\n
Barnett has made a full recovery and is back in the gym, but admits he wishes he could have done more for the charity he was representing in memory of his wife, Jodi Barnett, who died of brain cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so disappointed, as I was playing for the White Matter Brain Cancer Trust, and I really wanted to raise money for them,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n
Correos has also made a full recovery but he believes the challenge had some flaws.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reckon because the board is one height, the pressure loads on to your body depending on how tall you are… Coincidentally, Si and I are similar heights,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n
While he was visibly annoyed on screen, Correos says it wasn\u2019t the elimination that upset him; it was what the injury meant for his ability to do his job outside of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t care that the game was over; it was more how this was going to affect my life in the upcoming weeks while still gigging,\u201d the Australian-based stand-up comedian says.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalf popping was a curveball for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Correos wouldn\u2019t confirm if he had lost work because of the injury. <\/p>\n
Simon Barnett and David Correos compete in a gruelling challenge in Celebrity Treasure Island.<\/p>\n
In a statement to the Herald about the challenge, TVNZ says this same challenge had featured in previous seasons without incident. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe never want to see anyone injured during filming and so we take a number of steps to avoid this situation. Wednesday night\u2019s challenge was designed with health and safety in mind, with a full risk assessment prepared and reviewed prior to filming. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis challenge was tested in advance and there was a medic on site (as there are with all challenges). Key individuals, including the medic present, are involved in initial assessments, but escalation processes are in place if further treatment for injuries is required. That\u2019s what happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n
These injuries are not the first to force a contestant to leave the show early. <\/p>\n
From coral poisoning to broken bones, here are the medical eliminations and near misses that have happened on Celebrity Treasure Island.<\/p>\n
Lana Coc-Kroft (centre) was part of the 2004 cast before she fell gravely ill. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Lana Coc-Kroft, coral poisoning, 2004 <\/p>\n
In one of CTI\u2019s most harrowing moments, TV presenter Coc\u2011Kroft was injured during a challenge in Fiji after cutting her foot on coral. She soon fell seriously ill and was forced to leave the show to seek medical treatment.<\/p>\n
Her condition worsened over the following days and she was eventually airlifted to Auckland Hospital, where she was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome caused by a streptococcal infection.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt like every bone in my body had been broken. I really thought I\u2019d die from the pain,\u201d she told Woman\u2019s Day at the time.<\/p>\n
Coc\u2011Kroft spent five weeks in the hospital and nearly died, requiring multiple resuscitations and facing a year\u2011long recovery. <\/p>\n
Spankie Jackzon collapses during a challenge. Photo \/ TVNZ<\/p>\n
Spankie Jackzon, rib injury, 2024 <\/p>\n
The RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race Down Under winner suffered a rib injury during a beach rugby challenge, taking a heavy shoulder from actor, and eventual winner, JP Foliaki. Though Jackzon initially played on, the impact took its toll. <\/p>\n
A later challenge in the cold ocean pushed her body beyond its limits, and medics to intervene. \u201cI can\u2019t breathe,\u201d Jackzon gasped, clutching her chest and asking if she was going to die.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a horrible, terrifying experience,\u201d Jackzon told RNZ at the time. \u201cIt was one of the first times I\u2019ve had that flash of mortality, where you think, \u2018Is this it?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Frontrunner Mea Motu was forced to leave the show after a medical event. Photo \/ TVNZ<\/p>\n
Mea Motu, respiratory trouble, 2024 <\/p>\n
In one of the 2024 season\u2019s most dramatic moments, champion boxer Motu was taken off the island in a medical emergency. <\/p>\n
After a challenge in the rain that pushed contestants to their limits was eventually called off, Motu was seen shivering and in pain as medics intervened. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pouring rain, it\u2019s cold, you\u2019re all muscle and no body fat, it\u2019s hard to stay warm,\u201d the show\u2019s medic told Motu, who has a history of respiratory issues. \u201cThe chest thing is the thing that scares me,\u201d the medic added.<\/p>\n
After a night in the hospital, Motu was declared unfit to return and medically eliminated from the show. <\/p>\n
Radio host Tegan Yorwarth broke two of her toes while on the show. Photo \/ TVNZ<\/p>\n
Tegan Yorwarth, broken toes, 2021<\/p>\n
Radio host Yorwarth self-eliminated after breaking two toes during a challenge.<\/p>\n
She initially attempted to play on but, after a second knock to the toes, was taken for an X-ray that confirmed they were broken.<\/p>\n
Yorwarth was forced to withdraw after being put in a moon boot and admitting she might not be able to win the show on crutches.<\/p>\n
Other injuries and illnesses that nearly ended players\u2019 games<\/p>\n
Lily McManus: In 2019, the Bachelor\/Bachelorette star was taken down by a mystery illness, which had her battling a high fever and falling in and out of consciousness. McManus was temporarily removed from the game to receive medical attention before returning to camp after she recovered.<\/p>\n
Dame Susan Devoy: The squash legend was in the wars in 2023 during Fans vs Faves in Fiji, suffering from a severe leg infection caused by a cut that led to hallucinations. Adding to the drama, she also had what she referred to as a \u201cmini breakdown\u201d because of extreme exhaustion and the challenges of menopause. Devoy departed overnight but proved her resilience and returned the next day.<\/p>\n
Matty McLean collapsed during filming of Treasure Island. Photo \/ TVNZ<\/p>\n
Matty McLean: While Celebrity Treasure Island has had its fair share of fainting and near-fainting incidents, the radio host\u2019s collapse on Fans vs Faves was one of the most frightening to watch. The star was caught by host Bree Tomasel as he lost consciousness after a leg push challenge. McLean went on to win the game, and challenges that required pushing again proved the real loser.<\/p>\n
Matt Gibb: During a tense challenge in the rain, celebs were pummelled with water as they attempted to fill the other team\u2019s trough. In the process, the TV presenter\u2019s fingers sliced open on the sharp edges of a metal bucket, and the challenge was stopped after it became less of a trough and more of a bloodbath. Gibb was given the option to be removed from the game to get stitches, but decided to remain.<\/p>\n
Polly Gillespie was injured at the start of filming on Celebrity Treasure Island.<\/p>\n