Steve Irwin she ain't 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
The only terror here is that there are people this dumb are breeding....mls
um survives snake terror
Byline: NICOLETTE CASELLA
A WOMAN was bitten seven times by a 2m snake -- thought to be a deadly
tiger snake -- and survived.
other-of-four Kathy Begley, 37, grabbed the snake as it slithered
towards a group of ducks on a riverbank at South Yunderup, 100km south
of Perth, yesterday.
The deadly reptile turned on her, biting her five times on the fingers
and twice on her left heel.
``I knew it was a tiger snake -- it had a big black head and stripes,''
rs Begley said.
``I was trying to be a Harry Butler or Steve Irwin. I won't be doing
that again in a hurry.''
Though the snake failed to sink its fangs into her skin, she collapsed
-- probably from shock -- and was rushed unconscious to hospital by
ambulance.
When she awoke in hospital, she realised she was lucky to be alive.
rs Begley said she had learnt her lesson and warned people to ``never,
ever, ever touch snakes''.
``Don't ever go near them, let them be,'' she cautioned.
``I should have, but because this big bugger was going in for the kill,
I thought `No you big bugger, no way in the world'. I thought, being
this time of year, that snakes were quite docile, but I was wrong. They
are coming out of hibernation and they are hungry.''
rs Begley said it was silly of her to handle the snake.
``I am an environmentalist and I love animals. I saw this huge snake
and, being stupid me, I went to pick it up,'' she said.
``I like to make sure that snakes don't go too near ducks and other
animals. I like to move them away but this one was fiery.''
Although she identified it as a tiger snake, she said she did not think
twice about handling it -- a decision she now regrets.
rs Begley said the incident ``knocked her for six''.
``I was bloody scared. This one just kept going for me,'' she said.
``I was very lucky I have tough feet and tough skin and that saved me.
If they penetrate your skin you're a goner.''
Dr Julie Copeman, the attending doctor at the hospital, said Mrs Begley
was very lucky.
``She's a prime example of what not to do,'' she said. ``You don't help
nature on its way -- it knows how to get there without any help.''
------------------------------
Publication: Sunday Herald Sun
Publication date: 17-11-2002
Edition: 1 - FIRST
Page no: 16
Section: News
------------------------------ Submitted on 11/17/2002
Submitted by:
mstillman@theage.fairfax.com.au
Reference:
Sunday Herald Sun: 17-11-2002
Copyright © 2002 DarwinAwards.com
|
