The animal attacked the young woman in bed in the rural town of Glenmorgan on Friday night, the ABC broadcaster reported, citing rescue workers.
According to several media outlets, it was an eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) that only occurs in Australia and New Guinea. One photo showed her head sticking out from under the blanket.
The poisonous snakes are considered the most poisonous snakes on earth following the inland taipan, also endemic to Down Under – also appropriately known as the dire snake. In Australia, an average of one to two people die from snakebites every year – the vast majority in recent years from attacks by the Eastern brown snake, which is found throughout most of the country.
Relatives reacted correctly
However, the woman in Queensland was lucky: thanks to immediate first aid from her family, who also immediately called a rescue helicopter, she is in a serious but stable condition. “The relatives held the patient’s hand very still and wrapped it tightly with a snake bandage to prevent the poison from spreading towards the middle of the body,” ABC quoted one of the emergency doctors as saying. The woman is now being treated at the hospital in the nearest major city, Toowoomba.
“In my experience, it is very unusual to be bitten while you are sleeping,” the doctor further emphasized and spoke of a “frightening situation.” According to local emergency services, an increase in snakebites is being noted due to the warm weather. In the last week alone there were around 30 missions across the country.
