AN angler got a nasty surprise when he suffered a violent allergic reaction to a snake bite on a fishing trip with his son.
Robert Bland’s face, throat and hand swelled up to twice their normal size after he was bitten by an adder at High Newton reservoir, on Saturday (April 25).
The Milnthorpe builder and his son, Mark, 16, spotted an adder next to the lake. Half an hour later they saw a second adder which hissed at them and then bit Mr Bland on the thumb.
Mr Bland - who kept pythons as pets for years - continued fishing but within ten minutes his hand began to swell and he realised he needed medical attention.
When he reached Furness General Hospital an hour later, he was unable to walk.
Mr Bland said he was surprised at how quickly the venom took effect and has advised anyone suffering a snake bite to seek medical attention immediately.
For the full story see The Westmorland Gazette.
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