Barbie & Batman stuntwoman, 46, suffers 12 broken bones in horror crash after motorbike hit by car at UK beauty spot

A BARBIE and Batman stuntwoman broke 12 bones in a horrific motorbike crash at a UK beauty spot. Ansko Pitkanen, 46, was riding a motorcycle on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, on July 19, 2024 when she slammed into another vehicle. Ansko Pitkanen was riding a motorcycle when she slammed into another vehicle Credit: SWNS A full body scan revealed she had sustained breaks to both ankles, arms, legs and five ribs Credit: SWNS She was airlifted to Southmead Hospital, Bristol, where a full body scan revealed she had sustained breaks to both ankles, arms, legs and five ribs. Ansko underwent three surgeries over the course of several weeks to repair broken bones and another to remove screws, pins and plates. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! She was discharged in August 2024, but required rehab at home and says she continues to strengthen her body two years on. Stunt performer Ansko – whose glittering track record includes roles in Barbie and Batman – was able to return to work just a few months after getting discharged. Ansko underwent three surgeries to repair broken bones Credit: SWNS She recalled feeling ‘confused’ when she woke up in hospital after the accident Credit: SWNS Ansko was discharged from hospital a few weeks after the incident Credit: Ansko Pitkanen / SWNS The stuntwoman was able to return to work just a few months after the horror crash Credit: SWNS Reflecting on the ordeal, Ansko, from Harefield, London, said she recalled very little – other than feeling empty and a sharp, stabbing pain in her chest. “I remember seeing the headlights on the right hand side but they were so close there is nothing I could have done,” she said. “I knew in a matter of seconds I was going to pass out. “I have no memories after that, my next memories are in hospital.” Most read in The Sun When Ansko woke up, she was unable to move either of her arms and both her legs were strapped down. Given she could feel nothing from the waist down, she presumed she was paralysed and was going to wind up in a wheelchair. She said the whole experience was immensely disorientating. “I can’t really put things together but somehow my mum was called,” she said. When Ansko woke up, she was unable to move her arms or legs Credit: SWNS Ansko said she has been consistent with her training and body conditioning Credit: SWNS The 46-year-old said she had been patient with her recovery Credit: SWNS Ansko said she is being selective about the stunt jobs she chooses to pick up now Credit: SWNS “I was telling my mum I was in Germany and having a great time.” However, she said she was conscious enough to realise she’d lost her memory and feared that her brain had been “permanently damaged”. Concerned, she reached out to Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity, who provided her with a tailored aftercare programme. During rehab, Ansko began using a walking frame to aid her recovery, remaining consistent with her strengthening exercises. “Even if I could move my finger 2cm I would move it 2cm until I could move it 3cm,” she said. “I had amazing physiotherapy help with everything. “I tried to be patient and get back on my feet as soon as possible”. Louise Cox, critical care paramedic and aftercare manager, described Ansko’s recovery as nothing short of “remarkable”. The stunt performer said: “Training is what I do for a living and a part of my job but it was a bit of a detour into deeper training.” “I was mentally conditioned for that already and it definitely helped with my recovery.” She added she was being selective with the jobs she chose now, mindful not to push her body too far or risk catastrophic injuries again. A reunion with the air ambulance team left Ansko feeling emotional about her ordeal. “Seeing the specialists helped fill in the gaps that way of what actually happened,” she said. “It was really important, and the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Service makes me really emotional, they are the reason I’m here and alive today”. Comment now