A dangerously venomous Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) snake. Image: Willem Van Zyl/iStock
A Gauteng man was taken to hospital early on Monday after being bitten by a snake near the Hartbeesspruit River in Kameeldrift.
“Reports from the scene indicate that a 35-year-old male had been bitten on the knee by what has been identified as a Rinkhals snake,” Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said in a statement on Monday.
Upon assessment, medics found the patient was in a serious condition suffering from a cytotoxic bite.
“The patient was treated on the scene by a Netcare 911 emergency care practitioner, who provided manual ventilation to assist him to breathe,” Herbst said.
He was stabilised and later transported to hospital for further treatment.
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