Snake bite nearly kills Sussex man (From The Argus)
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Snake bite nearly kills Sussex man
10:40am Wednesday 9th June 2010 in
A snake bite left an animal rescuer fighting for his life.
Trevor Weeks, founder of the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS), lost consciousness after being bitten twice by an adder.
Doctors and medical staff even told the 38-year-old’s friends and family to prepare for the worst.
Mr Weeks and his WRAS colleagues were called out after a pair of adders got stuck in some netting on a Lewes allotment.
But while carefully checking the snakes for injuries, Mr Weeks was bitten on the finger of his left hand, and then given a venomous bite on his right hand.
Within a few hours he was lying in an accident and emergency hospital bed.
Speaking yesterday Mr Weeks said: “The first snake I checked over fine, but the second one was clearly a lot more agitated.
“He was very wriggly and only a youngster. He bit my finger and as I reacted the adder bit my other hand and it was a venomous bite.”
Mr Weeks, who was not wearing gloves so he could handle the small snakes, said: “I finished checking the snakes and put them in a box so they could be released then thought I’d better get my bites looked at.
“We went to Lewes minor injuries unit and the nurse put an ice pack on them. Within about half an hour I started developing a bit of pain and eventually lost consciousness.
“She called A&E at the Royal Sussex in Brighton and the paramedics came out.
“My blood pressure was really low and I passed out again. Apparently the paramedics were working on me for about 15 to 20 minutes at Lewes Hospital.
“I was taken to A&E where they had an anti-venom waiting because my reaction had been so extreme.
“While they were treating me the doctors came out and told my girlfriend Kathy Martyn that there was a chance I might not survive.
“They were saying they were really worried about me. It was certainly something they hadn’t come across before.”
It is thought that medication Mr Weeks was taking to lower his blood pressure had increased the severity of his reaction to the venom.
"This wasn't a situation a member of the public would normally find themselves in," he said.
Comments(18)
lumen
says...
11:22am Wed 9 Jun 10
A a vindscreen viper
Trevor Weeks
says...
11:30am Wed 9 Jun 10
Most snake bites are not a problem and they do not need antivenom and less than 1 in 5 bites are even venomous.
I would like to thank all the Hospital and paramedic staff for their great support and help.
Although I was wearing examination gloves, I do not wear gauntlets for examining snakes with potential ligature wounds as you cannot feel for any thickening of the skin with them on.
Trevor Weeks
says...
11:55am Wed 9 Jun 10
cheezburger
says...
12:19pm Wed 9 Jun 10
Lord Tilford
says...
12:42pm Wed 9 Jun 10
Requiem for a Bream
says...
12:46pm Wed 9 Jun 10
IKDRF
says...
12:46pm Wed 9 Jun 10
Trevor Weeks wrote:nonetheless a scary experience. pleased all is well now. but you'll be wearing wellies if ever you go for a walk through the woods from now on..!
The article in the paper is much better than the one online so go out and buy a copy.
kkj
says...
1:39pm Wed 9 Jun 10
lumen wrote:Much more useful OUTSIDE the car...
Q what sort of adder is useful in a car? A a vindscreen viper
ghonda
says...
2:12pm Wed 9 Jun 10
Jo Wadsworth
says...
2:24pm Wed 9 Jun 10
Trevor Weeks wrote:Hi Trevor,
The article in the paper is much better than the one online so go out and buy a copy.
I'm sorry the online version didn't include this line, but Emily Walker has now included it in response to your comment.
We deliberately keep the online stories shorter - and upload all but breaking news long after the paper has hit the stands - to encourage people to buy the print edition.
Charismatic Andrew
says...
2:25pm Wed 9 Jun 10
Trevor Weeks wrote:No thanks Trev my old son. I'm still reading yesterday's and its fantastic exclusive of the 4 month old baby who has completed his World Cup Panini Sticker Album. I can't put it down.
The article in the paper is much better than the one online so go out and buy a copy.
Mike D P
says...
2:49pm Wed 9 Jun 10
lorrie2
says...
3:35pm Wed 9 Jun 10
IKDRF wrote:What good would wellies do?? If you read the article PROPERLY it says he got bitten on the finger on his left hand and then got bitten on his right hand, unless hes going to start wearing wellies on his hands, Wake up!
Trevor Weeks wrote: The article in the paper is much better than the one online so go out and buy a copy.nonetheless a scary experience. pleased all is well now. but you'll be wearing wellies if ever you go for a walk through the woods from now on..!
John Steed
says...
5:05pm Wed 9 Jun 10
A adders
barleydevil
says...
7:05pm Wed 9 Jun 10
IKDRF
says...
10:56pm Wed 9 Jun 10
lorrie2 wrote:thank you. i did read the article. the above was merely a reference to the fear that such an experience could cause someone (i was simply burnt by a sparkler as a youngster but wont go near fireworks as a result) why did you bother?
IKDRF wrote:What good would wellies do?? If you read the article PROPERLY it says he got bitten on the finger on his left hand and then got bitten on his right hand, unless hes going to start wearing wellies on his hands, Wake up!Trevor Weeks wrote: The article in the paper is much better than the one online so go out and buy a copy.nonetheless a scary experience. pleased all is well now. but you'll be wearing wellies if ever you go for a walk through the woods from now on..!
Trevor Weeks
says...
5:17pm Thu 10 Jun 10
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Snake bite nearly kills Sussex man
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Snake bite nearly kills Sussex man
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Masterchav says...
10:50am Wed 9 Jun 10
There, I've now written the rest of the article for the hacks who couldn't be bothered.