Sara Danser, a former contestant on “Naked and Afraid,” has tragically passed away at the age of 34 due to a car accident in Kahala, Hawaii.
Danser gained recognition through her participation in the eighth season of the reality show “Naked and Afraid,” where individuals must survive in the wild without any clothing. She later returned for season 11 and took part in seasons 4, 6, and 7 of the spin-off series “Naked and Afraid XL.” Last year, she appeared on another reality program, “Fight to Survive,” broadcasted on The CW.
On Sunday, October 18, Danser was in a car crash when a 59-year-old male driver lost control and crashed into a parked car, according to Honolulu police.
Both Danser and the driver were hospitalized, along with a woman who was in the parked car during the incident. A man in the parked car refused medical treatment.
Originally from Castle Rock, Colorado, Danser was in critical condition upon reaching the hospital.
Her father and brother arrived at the hospital on Tuesday to support her, but unfortunately, Danser passed away later that day.
KSLA reports that her family mentioned she was wearing lei, scarves, and bandanas from her friends when she passed.
Her father, Dan Danser, shared with the publication: “I actually saw how much of a difference she made in the lives of others. I think she saved my life once, diving in Indonesia.”
Her brother, Jake, referred to Danser as ‘magical.’
“Sarah had this positive energy about her that just really filled the environment that she was in,” he said.
Danser was a skilled master diver and boat captain, employed at Island Divers Hawaii in Hawaii Kai.
Melissa Lauren, a co-star from “Naked and Afraid,” honored Danser, calling her one of ‘the most adventurous souls’ she had ever met.
“She wasn’t only a fierce survivalist on Naked and Afraid (she completed XL in South Africa with me), but a Breast Cancer survivor who kept an inspiring and positive attitude through her treatment,” Lauren shared on Facebook.
Family confirmed to KSLA that Danser had beaten breast cancer twice.
“She loved the ocean, nature and exploring – I always considered her a ‘modern day pirate’,” Lauren’s post continued.
“She was one of those people that saw the world through the eyes of a child, in awe of the things that many of us take for granted. Rest easy Sarah, I know you’re out there exploring somewhere.”
In their investigation, police noted that speed appeared to be a contributing factor in the crash, but not drugs or alcohol.