Snake bites shuttle bus driver in Port's public loos
SNAKE BITE
A local shuttle bus driver was airlifted to Cairns hospital last Saturday after being bitten by a brown snake while at the Port Douglas Surf Club public toilets.
The incident occurred around 3am on Saturday, January 11, as the Exemplar Coaches and Limousines driver, who was preparing to pick up passengers for an airport transfer, stopped to use the public toilet block next to the Port Douglas Surf Club.
Cheryl Wellham, owner of Exemplar, explained that when he entered the toilets in the darkness, the driver suddenly felt a sharp bite on his ankle.
Emergency services were quick to respond, with both an ambulance and a fire crew attending. The victim was taken to Mossman Hospital and then airlifted to Cairns Hospital for further treatment.
“He thought it might have been a black snake at first,'' Cheryl said.
“But at the hospital, they suspected it was a brown snake. It was such a shock for him and all of us.”
Sam Liddell was showering up after a swim today and said he was surprised to hear someone had been bitten by a snake, but commented we shouldn't be surprised that they are around as "it is the tropics".
With details of the snake bite still filtering through, Mr Liddell was an appropriate person to ask what he would do if faced with the same situation. He revealed that as a 16-year-old was bitten by a brown snake and flatlined twice in hospital.
The driver, who was not required to have antivenene, is now in good condition and is expected to recover fully.
Cheryl confirmed that he will be able to return to work soon, much to the relief of his colleagues and loved ones. She praised the work of emergency services and thanked her team for jumping into action to transfer the passengers the driver was due to assist.
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