Former rugby league player Ben Ross injured in televised charity arm-wrestle

A televised arm-wrestle between former Australian rugby league players Wendell Sailor and Ben Ross ended prematurely when the latter suffered a broken arm.

The pair were taking part in a charity event being broadcast live on The Footy Show on Thursday, when seconds into the contest Ross screamed in pain after hearing his arm crack.

Visibly distressed, Sailor immediately called for medical assistance and the programme went to an impromptu break to allow Ross to receive treatment. An ambulance arrived quickly and drove the 35-year-old to a local hospital.

During his time in Australia’s National Rugby League, Ross, who ended an 11-year career at his final club Cronulla Sharks in 2013, suffered a broken neck and a number of other injuries, but says the broken arm is "probably the most painful" he has experienced.

"I heard a snap and I didn't know what had happened and when I looked up, I saw my arm was at a different level, and when I looked at Wendell's face, I knew something was wrong," he told local broadcaster Channel Nine.

"His face, if it was possible, turned white."

Sailor later apologised for his involvement during an interview with local radio station KIIS in Sydney saying he was "horrified by what happened".

"Even if you didn't like someone, you never want to do that to someone," said Sailor. "Just watching his face, hearing that noise go 'snap'... it was just terrible."

The arm-wrestle was part of an ongoing 'Iron Arm Challenge' to raise money for the Men of League Foundation.

Executive producer Glenn Pallister stresses that all necessary safety precautions were taken before the programme went to air.

Ross is due to undergo surgery on Friday.