Postman bitten on hand by snake lurking in postbox

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/2 ... snake-bite" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal workers are used to getting the odd nip from unruly dogs – but postie Alan Wakley is recovering after being bitten by a poisonous snake that was lurking inside a village postbox.

Wakley, 58, was bitten on the hand by an adder that had crawled into the box at Brean Cove in Somerset.

Wakely followed the advice offered in old cowboy movies and tried to suck the poison from the wound, before applying antiseptic. He has suffered no lasting harm.

Wakley, who has been a postal worker for 16 years, said: "I opened the box to empty the post and expected to find a couple of letters and a few snails, which often crawl in through a small hole in the bottom.

"But when I opened the door and put my hand in I could hardly believe it when a snake jumped out and bit my hand. Its fangs went straight into the back of my hand, giving me a very sharp pain.

"It felt like a nasty bee sting and made me jump – I hauled the snake out of the box and threw it on to the grass where it quickly wriggled away.

"I think the snake was as shocked to see me as I was to get bitten by it. It was unmistakably an adder."

The box, which is embedded in a wall, has been sealed up and a notice placed on it reading: "Out Of Use. Caution – Snake (Adder)."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "Royal Mail takes very seriously the safety of its employees, particularly our frontline staff who collect and deliver the mail.

"Unfortunately, attacks by animals are a hazard faced by our postmen and women, but these are most commonly by dogs.

"It's the first time I've ever heard of an attack by a snake on one of our employees and we are thankful Alan appears to have no suffered no ill effects as a result."

[DGP1]

What's a snake

[johnsouthwales]

The Adder has a wide spread distribution throughout the UK. Usually associated with open heathland in the southern regions, it also often occurs in dense woodland and in particular open areas within wooded regions, where sunny patches occur.

The Adder is the UK's only native venomous snake. Seeing an adder is no cause for alarm, these snakes are very placid and retiring creatures. People are usually only bitten during attempts to catch or handle them.

The venom is rarely fatal, the bite should however be taken seriously, and one should seek prompt medical attention if bitten by an Adder. Symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting and painful swelling and loss of mobility of the affected limb are not uncommon within hours of the bite. Do not attempt any form of first aid either on yourself or a victim of an Adder bite. The only helpful action is to immobilise affected limbs if possible and keep the victim calm and reassured, whilst medical attention is sort.

Initial management is to reassure, give paracetamol to control pain, and immobilise the whole patient (especially the bitten limb with a splint or sling) during urgent transport to hospital. Early anaphylactoid symptoms can be treated with an oral or parenteral H1 blocker or adrenaline (epinephrine) (Epi-Pen), depending on severity. Any interference with the wound should be avoided. Tourniquets, ligatures, and compression bandages should not be used.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

What's a snake

Saint Pat strikes again

[DGP1]

What's a snake

Saint Pat strikes again

[dvbuk55]

What's a snake

Saint Pat strikes again

Now now - it's not strictly true about Ireland and snakes - and I don't want to go into too much detail

[axeman]

What's a snake

a management goon (and were not short of those)

[norbert]

What's a snake

they are found in RM offices leaning against Yorkies , on Facebook , Ebay , near coffee machines , sometimes arms folded , sometimes in pockets - the plural for them is a viper's nest that all deserve each other .

The dominant snake is :cfo which the snakes slavishly follow .

[DGP1]

Adam and Mandy?

[jockstrapp]

What's a snake ....................................LOOK NO FURTHER THAN YOUR MANAGER