A Channel Nine broadcaster had a brush with one of the ocean’s most devastating jellyfish but luckily came out of the encounter with only a rash.
Andrew Hawes was stung by a bluebottle jellyfish at Forster Beach, 110km south of Port Macquarie, in NSW, on Friday.
Mr Hawes shared photos of the blistered rash he was left with on social media and thanked the people who helped him treat it.
The painful injury was on his upper left arm near the shoulder and extended across his bicep in large welts.
To celebrate his recovery from his brush with beast, Mr Hawes went putt putt golfing with his family on dry land shortly after.
‘Bouncing back from a brutal bluebottle attack on Forster Beach… to take out the family putt putt golf challenge for the second year running,’ he wrote.
‘Thanks to Forster-Tuncurry Lions Club for the silverware!’
Channel Nine star Andrew Hawes shared pictures of the nasty welts he received from a bluebottle sting on social media
Portuguese Man of War jellyfish, or bluebottles, have poison which laces their tentacles and can cause severe reactions if not treated quickly (stock pictured)
Comments on the post ranged from supportive to tough love as everyone clamoured around to give their two cents.
‘You should use this story to convey to the Parramatta eels what true grit is and how sometimes you have to dig deep and look hard into the mirror to overcome adversity.’
‘Blokiest and Aussiest post of the summer so far,’ a second added.
‘Need a bag of cement,’ a third cheekily suggested.
2GB announced in December Mr Hawse, a 25-year media veteran, would be stepping in to host Wide World of Sports after Mark Levy moved to the mornings slot as replacement for now-retired talkback titan Ray Hadley.
Mr Hawes was stung by the highly venomous jellyfish at Forster Beach, 110km south of Port Macquarie, in NSW, on Friday
Portuguese Man of War jellyfish, also known as bluebottles after their florescent blue colouring, sting their victims with poison which laces their tentacles.
The subsequent blistering caused by a sting can cause a days-long burning pain, swelling and itchiness, joint aches, nausea or vomiting and difficulty breathing.
In worst case scenarios, the sting can be lethal.
This, however, depends on several factors including the age of the victim, if they are on any medications and the location of the wound.
A wound from the creature can be easily treated by gently washing the sore with seawater to remove any tentacles stuck to the area before submerging it in hot water for at least 20 minutes.
No fatalities have been recorded in Australia from bluebottles, however, there have been two from the painful Irukandji jellyfish found in northern Australia.
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