EastEnders actor Jake Wood has issued an urgent public appeal to help a critically injured BBC colleague following a horrific accident in Colombia over the Christmas period. The actor, famed for playing Max Branning, is rallying support for an electrician who works behind the scenes on the popular BBC soap.
A Terrifying Fall and a Fight for Survival
The crew member, named Connor, suffered life-threatening injuries after falling 11 storeys from a building roof while in Colombia. The accident left him in a coma for nine days, with Wood describing his survival as nothing short of a "miracle".
Connor remains in a critical condition in a Colombian hospital's intensive care unit, where he has undergone multiple life-saving surgical procedures. His mother has flown out to be at his bedside during this agonising time.
Soap Stars Unite in Fundraising Effort
Taking to Instagram, Jake Wood made a heartfelt plea to his followers, urging them to contribute to a dedicated GoFundMe page. The fundraiser aims to collect £26,000 to cover Connor's enormous medical bills and the complex costs of bringing him home to the UK for continued care.
Wood wrote that Connor is "a top man and respected by everyone" at the BBC Elstree studios. His call to action has galvanised the tight-knit EastEnders community.
By Tuesday evening, the campaign had gathered impressive momentum, raising just over £23,000. The donations list reads like a who's who of Albert Square, featuring:
- Jake Wood (Max Branning)
- Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale)
- Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale)
- Emma Barton (Honey Mitchell)
- Scott Maslen (Jack Branning)
- Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning)
Other cast members including Pierre Counihan-Moullier and Francesca Henry have also contributed.
A Community Rallies Behind a Beloved Colleague
Victoria Dean, who organised the fundraising page, painted a picture of Connor as a much-loved family man, describing him as "a loving son, brother, uncle and friend".
The incident highlights the dangers sometimes faced by television crews working on location and the profound bonds formed on set. The show's cast and production team are now united in a single mission: to support their colleague's long and difficult road to recovery and secure his safe return home.
The continued support from the public and the EastEnders family will be crucial in the coming weeks as Connor fights to regain his health.
