Second hiker bitten by puff adder in Drakensberg
Jon Oliff, who works in uMhlanga, was hiking near the Bushman's Nek border post when he was bitten on the right foot by a puff adder.
JUST a week after an eMdloti teen was bitten by a puff adder in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, another hiker has been bitten.
Jon Oliff, who works in uMhlanga, was hiking near the Bushman’s Nek border post when he was bitten on the right foot by a puff adder.
Despite it being a dry bite (where no venom was released), the 38-year-old said he was grateful for the help from emergency services. The venomous snake bit through Oliff’s shoe with one of the fangs leaving a single puncture mark on his right foot.
Read also: eMdloti teen on the road to recovery following puff adder bite
“We were about five kilometres in on the hike when I felt something spikey prick my foot. We were in quite overgrown vegetation so I didn’t see anything but the guy behind me saw it was a snake and said it looked quite angry and agitated. They eventually identified it as a puff adder. I then took my shoe off and noticed a little bit of blood but thankfully no severe pain or swelling. I think the group we were with, radioed for help, and I was met on the trail by Ezemvelo Rangers on horses.
“They arrived quite quickly, I had probably walked about two kilometres when they spotted me. I don’t remember being in too much of pain but I could feel my adrenaline was flowing. They asked if I could ride a horse and I said I could if my life depended on it. I was then assessed by paramedics before being transported to hospital,” he said.
Oliff was transported to Life Hilton Hospital where he was treated. The upper Highway resident, who returned to work this week said he began feeling unwell on Tuesday and has since been readmitted to hospital to undergo tests.
Read also: Black mamba rescued on Glenashley Beach
He thanked the Ezemvelo Rangers, paramedics and staff at the hospital for their efforts to help him after he was bitten and added the experience has not deterred him from hiking in the future.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za)
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram
