Model suffers horrific burns after photographer's 'reckless stunt'

A model was left with horrific burns to her legs after a "reckless" stunt during a photoshoot saw her engulfed in fire.

Robyn-Lee Jansen, an international student living in Vancouver, attended the freelance modelling job on 13 June, where she claims the photographer involved told her he wanted to "work with fire" to "create some awesome shots".

The 22-year-old has been left with second degree burns over her legs, hips, back and right arm as a result of the accident, which she believes was caused by "negligence and recklessness" on the part of the photographer.

*WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW*

She told Sky News: "The photographer and I had connected through a website called Model Mayhem. On there he was listed as very experienced, and on there he had been vetted by 18 other models as good to work with. The photographer had assured me the fire shoot in general was safe.

"I never actually agreed to what lit me on fire, or was aware he would be using the liquid paraffin bottle, as he was doing fire art at a safe distance behind me and did not communicate that would be the next step at all."

She added: "He simply yelled 'stand still this part gets tricky' and before I could ask for him to explain or stop, or walk away the liquid was squirted and I have no idea where he was actually aiming or what he was doing.

"But the next thing I know I was up in flames."

Ms Jansen - who says she was never given a waiver or liability form ahead of the shoot - has launched an online fundraising campaign to aid her recovery as she seeks legal advice on whether to sue, and has used the GoFundMe page to update backers on her progress.

Having had her extensive blisters drained and dead skin removed, she described the subsequent wound as one of the "most painful things I have ever experienced".

Despite visits to a specialist burns clinic in the coastal Canadian city, Ms Jansen remains in "extreme pain" and is unable to walk, with all of her paid jobs for the next two to three months having had to be cancelled.

She is also concerned that the extent of her scarring may have a long-term impact on her modelling, adding that she expects it to be a "long road to recovery".

Writing on her GoFundMe page - which has amassed more than $8,400 (£6,593) in donations - she said any help "would be so much appreciated during this very distressing time".

She said: "I am away from all my friends and family, and my boyfriend has taken off work to take care of me. I won't be able to work for the next few months, and have a lot to deal with at the moment.

"Trying to get legal help, pay for my bills, lost wages, and any extra medical expenses not covered is going to be tough especially as an international student."

Almost 200 people have donated to the GoFundMe page so far, just five days after it was launched.

Ms Jansen - who has been told she will need skin grafts - said she hoped the "living hell" of the past few days would serve as a warning for other aspiring models by raising awareness of "the dangers of accepting risky shoots".

She wrote: "Don't trust other people's words when going into a risky shoot.

"Demand that there be safety procedures in place. And if the photographer can't guarantee or provide them, then just don't do it. It's not worth your time and safety."