TV host’s head nearly taken off by exploding bottle

An Australian TV presenter had a narrow escape after a live science experiment went terrifyingly wrong today.

Studio 10 host Natarsha Belling is probably lying down in a dark room after almost suffering a very nasty accident.

A bottle filled with cola and liquid nitrogen went whizzing past her head during a set with popular scientist and author Jacob Strickling.

Co-host Roxy Jacenko was also on set for the variation on the classic but slightly dangerous Mentos-in-the-Coke bottle experiment.

An embarrassed Channel 10 have already scrubbed the show from its Ten Play repeats channel.

But not before the moment was captured for posterity on social media.

As any young chemistry student would know freezing nitrogen expands rapidly when it comes in contact with warmer liquid.

Strickling had conducted the experiment twice already before nearly putting the poor Belling in hospital with a third attempt.

"Are these safe to do at home?" Belling had asked.

In response, Strickling invited her to do it herself.

However, Belling appeared unsure of what she should be doing and is jokingly remonstrated by Strickling just before the bottle shoots away.

Belling darts back and luckily avoids the falling branches knocked awry by the errant bottle.

Strickling, who has a strong following on social media, afterwards reassures viewers the experiment is "safe".

Fans on social media nonetheless appeared to enjoy the mishap - despite their concern for the hosts.