Chilean model Bernardita Santa Cruz was left temporarily paralysed by a zipline fall

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Chilean Bernardita Santa Cruz, 26, was paralysed after falling from a zip wire
Active model used to post pictures of herself hiking and doing yoga
She told followers accident left her temporarily paralysed, and hospital snaps
Bernardita now has more than 24,000 followers as she works towards recovery

Published: 09:19 EST, 13 December 2016 | Updated: 09:59 EST, 13 December 2016

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A model who was left temporarily paralysed when she fell from a zipline at her home has become an Instagram star after sharing pictures of her recovery.

Chilean beauty Bernardita Santa Cruz, 26, previously shared photos of herself hiking or doing yoga, but they were replaced by pictures of the model in her hospital bed following the accident, which left her unable to sit up for four days.

Now Bernardita has almost 25,000 Instagram followers rooting for her full recovery - including Chilean footballers and TV stars.

Chilean beauty Bernardita Santa Cruz, 26, seen before the accident, used to post pictures of herself hiking or doing yoga

Bernardita (above) shared pictures of herself in hospital on social media, and told her followers about the accident

The model's existing followers were left wondering what had happened when there were no posts on her Instagram feed for several weeks.

Eventually she revealed what had happened on social media through a series of posts, and begged her followers: 'Don't stop coming here to see me.'

She wrote: 'I fell from the zipline at my house and suffered a spinal injury that made me paraplegic.

'It's 11 days now and although it is difficult, I'm being strong. Keep praying for my rehabilitation.'

Her followers were left wondering what had happened when she suddenly stopped posting updates (seen in a photograph taken before the accident)

She later posted a picture of her in a hospital room with the caption: 'After four days, I sat up for the first time'

In earlier messages she revealed she had been unable to sit up for four days after the accident.

'After four days, I sat up for the first time,' she wrote of her rehabilitation at Las Condes in Santiago, one of Chile's top clinics.

'The secret is having the feeling of coming back, that is stronger than the sorrow I am feeling.'

She also thanked her social media followers for their well wishes.

'Thanks a lot for all your support and charming messages recently,' Bernardita said.

'I am going to be strong in order to keep on.'

After a third picture, she explained to her followers what had happened to her and why she had stopped posting

She explained: 'I fell from the zipline at my house and suffered a spinal injury that made me paraplegic. It's 11 days now and although it is difficult, I'm being strong

Her spirit in the face of adversity and her winning smile have won her thousands of new followers on social media - including some of Chile's biggest names

The actor Gonzalo Valenzuela and some of Chile's leading football stars (above, a signed football t-shirt) are among more than 24,000 people who have been supporting her online

Bernardita (seen recovering in hospital) also has the support of her friends who have been visiting her to help cheer her up

Bernardita has said 'wanting to feel the sun and the wind again' helped her to get out of her wheelchair.

Her spirit in the face of adversity and her winning smile have won her thousands of new followers on social media - including famous names.

The actor Gonzalo Valenzuela and some of Chile's top football stars are among more than 24,000 people who have been cheering her on to recovery via social media.

The model's exact prognosis is currently unclear.