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'MAFS' Season 17 fans criticize Emily Balch for attending couple's retreat despite head injury from scary accident

During the second day of the couple's retreat, Emily wanted to make her trip with her husband Brennan Shoykhet memorable but ended up being hospitalized

FOXFIELD, COLORADO: 'Married At First Sight' Season 17 star Emily Balch suffered a serious head injury after she had a life-threatening ATV accident.

During the second day of the couple's retreat, Emily wanted to make her trip with her husband Brennan Shoykhet memorable but ended up being hospitalized. 

Emily unfortunately hit the trees and flipped down from her ATV van. Brennan and the camera crew called the emergency services and took her to the hospital.

Brennan stayed with Emily during her entire hospitalization, and despite not having fully recovered, Emily decided to return to the couple's retreat.

She joined the other couples at the Ninja gym while her co-stars enjoyed an adventurous day. Additionally, Emily's head scars were visibly uncovered, prompting some viewers to express anger and suggest that she should have rested at home.

A social media user tweeted, "The producers are so desperate for footage that are making Emily film right after the hospital with her hair still with blood. This is INSANE!! 🤦🏻‍♀️😤🫣."

Another person added, "Why they got Emily on here with a busted head and face? Hasn't she suffered enough??"

A critic noted, "Why is Emily still filming with a gash in her head and face all swollen. Girl go home to your mama so she can hug up on you and help you recover.., Not film a reality show with a bunch of strangers."

Another user penned, "Dear Gawd — how long is Emily going to sit there w/ an open head wound?! Can someone get her a doctor!!!"

An X user shared, "Emily's head must HURT. Girl needs to be in a dark room in a bed. She needs to heal, not go to a ninja gym."

Another furious viewer penned, "Emily is so desperate for Brennan’s attention. She should be at home healing and he should be with her."

'MAFS' star Emily Balch addresses 'fake' head injury rumor

'MAFS' star Emily Balch had a scary accident which also premiered on the Lifetime show. She suffered injuries that also needed head surgery. However, some of the critics claimed that Emily wasn't injured and the whole accident was "staged."

However, Emily took to her social media and clapped back at the "fake" injury claims. She shared a photo of herself from the hospital, obtained by 'MAFS' fan account, which showed her getting treatment for her injury.

She wrote, "PSA PEOPLE wear helmets – this happened w/ a helmet on... I'm V lucky + thankful to be alive & look the way I do now."

Meanwhile, Emily's close friend also took to the comment section of the video of her accident and commented, "It's completely real I know her family I saw real photos a while ago, this happened a year ago she's had more than one surgery and the one surgery was 3 hours."

The family friend continued, "There [sic] were all filmed last year she was also not able to work because of the injury it's not fake at all."

Emily Balch's ATV accident brings her closer to Brennan

Emily Balch's ATV accident gave Brennan Shoykhet a new perspective to look into their marriage. Brennan stuck to her side when she was in the hospital. Brennan also showed off his concerns for Emily in the latest episode. He revealed, "She's ultimately gonna need plastic surgery."

However, Brennan shared that Emily was fine, adding, "which is a huge sigh of relief for me." He added, "The fact that we were able to overcome it together, shows the type of bond we do have, and you know, who we are as people and why I think we're meant to each other's lives."

However, as Emily geared up for the surgery, Brennan noted, "I'm just praying and hoping that her getting stitched goes smooth and everything is okay. But I'm here, in her sickness and in health."

'Married At First Sight' Season 17 airs on Wednesdays at 8 pm ET on Lifetime.