Man, 54, bitten by deadly snake after going for a swim at Back Creek near Millmerran, Brisbane

Man, 54, is bitten by a deadly snake in his car and found lying on the road by a passing driver who saves his life in the nick of time

  • The 54-year-old stepped out of his car and left the door open as he went for swim
  • The man was bitten by a deadly snake – either an eastern brown or a death adder
  • He used a ratchet strap as a mock tourniquet to stop the venom from spreading

A man is lucky to be alive after he was bitten by a deadly snake and rescued by a stranger driving past.

The 54-year-old stepped out of his car and left the door open as he went for a swim at Back Creek near Millmerran west of Brisbane on Friday night. 

Upon returning to the car, the man was bitten by the deadly snake, believed to be an eastern brown or a death adder, 7NEWS reported. 

The 54-year-old stepped out of his car (pictured) and left the door open as he went for a swim at Back Creek near Millmerran west of Brisbane on Friday night

The victim used a ratchet strap as a mock tourniquet to stop the venom from spreading. 

He called police but did not know where he was.

The man then pulled his car over and put his hazard lights on.

A passing driver saw him lying on the roadside and called triple zero. 

The man was airlifted to Millmerran Hospital where he was given snake anti-venom in the nick of time.

Upon returning to the car, the man was bitten by the deadly snake, believed to be an eastern brown or a death adder (pictured: stock death adder)

Upon returning to the car, the man was bitten by the deadly snake, believed to be an eastern brown or a death adder (pictured: stock death adder)

Eastern brown snakes’ venom is ranked as the second most toxic and death adder bites are also fatal. 

About 140 different species of snakes call Australia home, but 100 of them are venomous, and only 12 species are likely to kill. 

A venomous snake bite could destroy blood cells, cause blood clots, or excessive bleeding and destroy tissue. 

It should be treated immediately as some bites could lead to death within 30 minutes, depending on the amount of venom injected and the toxicity level from the snake.  

How to keep safe during snake season 

– Remove any debris or woodpiles, cut back long grass and shrubbery, remove leaf litter and block any holes around the outside of your house that may look like a safe spot to hide 

– Keep pests under control. Rodents are a good food source for snakes – less food means less snakes.

– Keep bird aviaries and chook pens secure, clean and free of rodents. Ensure you have a fine mesh or shade cloth around the outside of any aviary so our snake friends don’t get stuck in the wire.

– If possible, keep cats inside and snake avoidance training for dogs can literally be a life saver. 

– Call a professional. Never attempt to catch or kill a snake. This is illegal and snakes are incredibly important to the local ecosystem.

SOURCE: Australian Geographic 

 

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