A six-year-old boy has miraculously survived being bitten by one of the world’s most venomous snakes twice in just over a week.
Joel Canning was playing outside his family home in Wongan Hills, 180km north of Perth, seven months ago when he was bitten by a deadly western brown snake.
He survived after being flown to the state capital for treatment, but eight days later he was bitten again, by the same species of snake, on the same street.
A six-year-old boy (pictured) has miraculously survived being bitten by one of the world’s most venomous snakes twice in just over a week
Joel’s mother Pippa said her son came calmly inside after being bitten the first time and told her he had a question, Seven News reported.
‘If you get bitten by a venomous snake in Australia – do you go to heaven?’ Joel asked.
The quick-thinking six-year-old knew not to panic, and said he walked slowly so as not to move the venom through his bloodstream.
Joel then collapsed and started convulsing before his parents rushed him to hospital.
‘His eyes were rolling back. He was hissing and I knew he wasn’t getting enough oxygen,’ Pippa said.
Then just over a week later Joel survived being bitten again, possibly thanks to still having anti-venom in his system from the first bite.
Joel Canning (pictured) was playing outside his family home in Wongan Hills, 180km north of Perth, seven months ago when he was bitten by a deadly western brown snake
He survived after being flown to the state capital for treatment, but eight days later he was bitten again, by the same species of snake, on the same street (stock image)
‘I thought I was going to survive again because I survived the first time, and I did,’ Joel said.
Joel was also lucky that the local hospital is located at the end of his street just minutes away, and stocks anti-venom for the western brown.
Months later Joel still suffers anxiety due to fears he may be bitten again, and his family is calling for others to learn first aid.
The ground-dwelling western brown snake is native to Australia and grows up to 1.8metres long.
Extremely aggressive, especially when cornered, the western brown can be deliver a deadly bite, but is less venomous than its relative, the eastern brown.