Home / Disasters and Accidents / Paddleboarder's Ankle Swells to 'Elephant Leg' After Adder Bite
Paddleboarder's Ankle Swells to 'Elephant Leg' After Adder Bite
23 Jun
Summary
- Paddleboarder Zak Brown was bitten by Britain's only venomous snake.
- His leg swelled severely, resembling an 'elephant leg' due to the venom.
- He received anti-venom treatment and was hospitalized overnight for monitoring.
A relaxing paddleboarding trip in Suffolk took a harrowing turn for Zak Brown when he encountered Britain's sole venomous snake. While taking a break on the verge of the Cavenham Heath National Nature Reserve, Brown unknowingly stepped on a juvenile adder. The snake bit his left ankle, causing immediate and intense pain.
Within moments, Brown's ankle began to swell significantly, progressing up his leg to resemble an 'elephant leg' due to the fast-acting venom. The pain became so severe that he was rendered unable to walk. He and his friend had to paddle back for two hours to reach their car, after which he sought medical attention.
Upon arrival at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, doctors administered an anti-venom injection. Brown, a 39-year-old businessman from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, was kept in the hospital overnight for observation. Medics informed him that he was fortunate the snake was a juvenile, as an adult adder's venom could have resulted in a more severe outcome. The incident has left him with a lasting caution, now constantly checking his surroundings for snakes.
