BBC’s Casualty 40th Anniversary Special Throws Flynn And Stevie Into A Terrifying Ambulance Crash — And Olly Rix Reveals The Underwater Stunt Nearly Left Him Out Of Breath. After an explosion at St James’ Hospital, Flynn Byron and Stevie Nash find themselves trapped underwater when an ambulance plunges off a cliff. As Flynn fights to get Stevie back to the surface, the rescue quickly turns into a battle for both their lives. Olly Rix revealed he performed the underwater sequence himself, describing it as an “entirely new experience” and admitting there were moments when he was close to passing out while filming. The emotional anniversary special also brought back Charlie Fairhead and Ethan Hardy, giving fans another unforgettable moment amid the chaos.

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Casualty: Olly Rix Reveals How Close He Came to Passing Out During Underwater Stunt

Olly Rix has revealed just how intense filming became for Casualty’s 40th anniversary special, admitting there were moments during an underwater stunt when he was close to passing out.

The actor, who plays paramedic Flynn Byron, was at the centre of one of the most dramatic sequences in the anniversary double-bill, which opened with an explosion at St James’ Hospital and quickly plunged the characters into a desperate fight for survival.

A medic looking at someone ahead of him with a serious look on his face

Flynn and Stevie are trapped underwater

Following the blast, paramedics were left working among the rubble of the devastated hospital. Flynn was nearby when the explosion happened, while Stevie Nash, played by Elinor Lawless, also arrived at the scene.

The pair helped transport an injured casualty in an ambulance, with Indie Jankowski, played by Naomi Wakszlak, driving them to hospital for urgent treatment.

But the journey back took a terrifying turn when a man suddenly ran into the road asking for help. Indie swerved to avoid him, leaving the ambulance precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff.

Olly Rix

Although Indie and the injured man escaped, Stevie and Flynn were sent over the edge. The ambulance plunged into the water below and began filling rapidly as it sank.

For Olly Rix, filming the sequence was unlike anything he had experienced before.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said, reflecting on the stunt. The actor explained that he had previously worked on productions involving riding, fighting and shooting, but had never filmed an underwater sequence.

This time, he performed the demanding scenes himself, with stunt teams and divers on hand throughout the shoot.

“I really was close to passing out”

An individual in a medical uniform stands in a clinical setting, facing another person, possibly engaged in a conversation. The background features other individuals in similar attire, indicating a hospital or medical environment.

The underwater filming pushed Rix to his limits.

He revealed that there were moments when he had almost completely run out of breath while trying to capture the required shots.

“There were a few moments underwater where, just for the sake of getting the shot and the length of shot that we needed, I really was close to passing out,” Rix explained. “I was right at the very end of my breath.”

The production had an underwater sound system, allowing the actors to hear when the director called “cut.” But getting back to a source of air still required a tense few moments.

Once a take ended, Rix had to signal to the diving team that he needed to breathe. Divers would then quickly swim towards him with a regulator and place it in his mouth.

According to the actor, the short wait between finishing a take and receiving air could feel much longer underwater.

“That gap between finishing the take and gesturing I need some air felt like a lifetime,” he said, admitting he was “on edge” a couple of times. Despite the physical demands, he described the experience overall as “such a gift.”

A desperate fight to save Stevie

A man holding onto another man's shoulder

The drama became even more intense when Flynn was forced to rely on the ambulance’s air tank after Stevie suffered a broken collarbone.

The plan was for Flynn to use the available air while pushing both of them towards the surface. Once they reached safety, he would then attempt to resuscitate Stevie.

After Flynn managed to reach the shore, the focus shifted to his own condition when he passed out while trying to bring Stevie back to life.

Additional medical staff eventually arrived, joining Indie and the rest of the team as they worked together to pull both Stevie and Flynn through the crisis.

Charlie Fairhead and Ethan Hardy return

The anniversary special also delivered two major returns that delighted long-time Casualty fans.

Charlie Fairhead, played by Derek Thompson, and Ethan Hardy, played by George Rainsford, both returned amid the chaos to help.

Ethan had left Holby City Hospital in 2023 after nine years on the BBC drama. Charlie, meanwhile, had been one of the defining figures of Casualty since the show’s launch in 1986.

Thompson’s departure from the series in 2024 had left viewers devastated, making his return especially emotional for fans who had followed Charlie for decades.

Many viewers immediately took to social media to express their excitement, with some even calling for Charlie and Ethan to remain on the show.

One fan wrote, “Welcome Back Charlie Is Been a Long Time Coming,” while another pleaded, “Please let them stay.” A further viewer described Ethan’s 2026 appearance as potentially “the best thing to ever happen to me.”

With its explosive opening, high-stakes rescue and emotional returns, the 40th anniversary special gave Casualty fans plenty to remember.

Casualty is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.