An eight-year-old girl from Birmingham was rushed to hospital this holiday weekend after being bitten by a venomous snake during an Easter picnic.
The girl’s hand swelled after the viper attack, which took place in Kinver Edge, on the border of Worcester, Staffordshire and the Black Country on Saturday, April 16.
The young man needed an intravenous infusion of an antidote serum while being treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he stayed over the weekend for observation as a precaution.
Her father, David Rathbone, said: “She was warned of the presence of a snake by one of our group, and as a brave girl, she explores the striking-looking reptile with her finger.
“It is unusual that the snake did not move away, but stuck in its finger.
“She cried out, at which point I took her hand and sucked hard on the wound on the tip of her index finger.
“The snake has not yet retreated. The snake also struck my hand, forcing me to push my hand out of range.
“She then complained of pain and swelling, so we jumped in my car to Kidderminster Hospital as the swelling in her fingers increased rapidly.
“About 15 minutes later, in the minor injuries ward, her whole arm had begun to swell.
The young man’s finger and hand began to swell after the viper’s bite at a picnic. Credit: BPM Media
“The staff acted quickly, tying her arm and lower arm. They then decided to take us under blue lights to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where the serum was stored.
“She was taken to the intensive care unit. She was in a good mood all the time, as she was a very brave girl, until she received an intravenous infusion of an anti-poison serum, which made her very ill, as it is a strong medicine.
“After being stung by tetanus, she was kept under close surveillance. A second intravenous infusion was given around 1 am today.
“Now he feels good, if not a little tired of missing a planned Easter egg hunt while under surveillance.
Mr Rathbone added: “This is a very rare event and the behavior of the snake is quite strange, perhaps caused by the sudden change of weather to this warm spell.
“I hope this warns pedestrians using such wastelands.
Add Comment