ACA reporter Leila McKinnon blindfolded in a terror training exercise. Picture: Supplied

IT’S Leila McKinnon as you’ve never seen her before.

The Nine Network’s senior reporter took part in an hour-long terror training exercise for a story that aired on A Current Affair, which left her in complete shock.

ACA reporter Leila McKinnon after the training exercise took place. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9

In her report filed for ACA, she is seen talking to the camera, saying: “I think I just heard gunshots”, before a masked armed gunman walks into a meeting room full of people yelling “Get down! Everyone on the ground! Get on the ground! All of you!”

McKinnon is seen holding a camera, still filming while the training exercise is under way, telling viewers: “Oh my God, this is scary.”

Leila McKinnon’s terror training report on ACA. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9

In harrowing footage, she is then tied up, blindfolded and hooded during the event, as are the other people taking part in event.

The armed gunman in the terror training exercise. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9

McKinnon is later seen hiding in a room, where she lifts her hood off to talk to the camera again. Her hands are still bound together with rope.

She told viewers about how she was coping with what was happening around her.

“Obviously it’s nothing like the real thing but it’s really intense,” she said.

“What goes through your head. I can’t breathe. It’s crazy.”

The gunman in the meeting room with his hostages. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9

Leila McKinnon is blindfolded. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9

She then took several deep breaths, and continued: “I can’t explain to you what it’s like. I can’t imagine what it must be like to go through.”

“I hope I learn something from this, about how to learn to survive.”

She then said: “I hope I never find myself in this ...” before being interrupted as another gunshot is fired. Her whole body jolts with fright.

Leila McKinnon talks to viewers about how the training affected her. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9

The training exercise, run by Zero Risk International, can be the difference between life and death, according to the company’s director, former British Commando and international terrorism and security expert Tony Loughran.

If faced with a terror attack or a hostage sitatuion, he said “slow, sly moves” are key while you are in survival mode.

Leila McKinnon on the floor as the training exercise is unfolding. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9

Loughran then takes McKinnon and some other hostages in a car, where he decides which person will be shot.

After she tells stands her ground, the exercise ends, Loughran said it was important for anyone in such a situation to keep the dialogue going, as it can lessen the chance of someone trying to shoot you.

After her hood was finally lifted at the end, McKinnon appeared stressed as she said: “Oh my God”.

She described the entire exercise as “horrific”, but was grateful for being part of it.