Warning: This story includes graphic pictures
An Instagram post has revealed the horrific reason why The Project's Jesse Mulligan wasn't able to host Wednesday's show.
Pictures posted to the television show's Instagram account on Wednesday night show Mulligan with his finger bandaged while sitting in an ambulance.
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"If you were wondering where Jesse Mulligan was tonight, he got into an accident while cycling to the studio," a caption on the images said.
While it says he's "just a bit banged up", an image without the bandages reveal one finger seriously bent out of place.
One commenter called it "nasty" and "deformed", while another said: "That must have hurt bad."
A video of Mulligan explained how it came to be.
"I fell off my bike. I have been biking around Auckland for five years, I have never fallen off, never been hit by a car," he said.
"Today I finally got knocked off my bike by a recycling bin, a stationary bin that was just sitting there and I drove into it.
"If you ever need to feel like we are one in New Zealand, try falling off your bike in a public place, because people came and helped me out, and stayed with me, and called the ambulance and found me water and a blanket, and I am so grateful for you.
"But I can't come to work tonight."
Commenters hoped Mulligan would recover quickly.
"The country has been right behind you, now stop doing ridiculous stuff for a day off work. You've set the bar now Jessie," said one person.
"Glad you're looking and doing OK now."
With Mulligan not able to appear, The Project featured an all-female panel, consisting of Justine Smith, Kanoa Lloyd, Nadine Higgins and Michèle A'Court.
Newshub.
