Fans of Charlize’s badly injured stunt double send messages of support
SOUTH African stuntwoman Olivia Jackson is known for being the tough girl on the big screen. She has to show the same strength as she remains in ICU after a horrific on-set motorbike crash.
Jackson was filming a chase scene for the latest Resident Evil film outside Johannesburg last Saturday when, according to reports, she collided at high speed with a metal camera arm. Because of the nature of the stunt, she was not wearing protective gear.
On Friday, a friend of Jackson’s said she was stable, but remained in the ICU.
“We are just hoping for the best,” said the friend, who was not allowed to talk about Jackson’s condition.
Jackson has featured in several high-profile films, including the highly anticipated Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awak- ens, which is due for release in December. She was the stunt double for fellow South African Charlize Theron in the hit Mad Max: Fury Road.
In the same film she was also the stand-in stuntwoman for Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the English model and actress best known as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels.
After the crash, Jackson was taken to a Johannesburg hospital. She has reportedly been in an induced coma, with severe head injuries and a punctured lung.
The full extent of her injuries became apparent in a Facebook post by her mom, Maureen Jack- son, the day after the crash.
“Olivia has managed three surgeries like the strong girl that she is!” she wrote. “They have stopped the internal bleeding, restored blood flow to her arm, have done what they can for now on her hand, arm and cheek, and now we wait for her brain swelling to come down before we can do any more.”
She added that Jackson was in the hands of “some incredible surgeons”.
Jackson lives and works from London with her stuntman husband, David Grant. On Tuesday, Grant posted the most recent update on her condition. He said the family was touched by messages wishing Jackson a speedy recovery.
“It just goes to show what a special girl she is, not just to me but to everyone. I want you all to know that she is making steady progress. Your thoughts and good vibes are all working — so please keep them up!” he said.
Your thoughts and good vibes are all working — so please keep them up