Model suffers horrific burns after 'reckless' photoshoot 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 wanted to "work with fire" to "create some awesome shots".

The 22-year-old was positioned ahead of the flames and was allegedly told "stand still, this part gets tricky" before the man squirted a bottle of liquid paraffin oil near her, which caused her to "go up in flames".

*WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW*

Ms Jansen 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, who she said had assured her the stunt had been "vetted" by other models.

She has launched an online fundraising campaign to aid her recovery as she seeks legal advice on whether to sue, and has also 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 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: "I honestly thought this would be an awesome concept. The photographer assured me it was safe, and had been vetted by other models.

"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."