Snake Bite Victim Shares Story

Four weeks ago, a local lady was bitten by a Coastal Taipan while attending to the laundry underneath her pole home in Proserpine. Accustomed to living in a remote area, Kate Cross commented in her social media post to the community that "I have always lived on acreage and have been bitten, stung, and spiked by many things," once having even been bitten by a snake.

Due to this, following the initial bite, Ms Cross was not too concerned.

"It was early evening and dark, but the light was on. I was barefoot, planning to be there for just a minute. The bite felt like a sting, not unlike a wasp. While looking for the source, I saw a small, dark snake entering some nearby cardboard packaging. It was about 50 cm long and the thickness of my finger. I feel grateful that I saw it, as I might have guessed the cause of the bite to have been a spider, a more common sighting in that area," she shared.

"I called my partner to tell him that a snake had bitten me and asked him to bring the phone so we could take a photo. We commonly photograph snakes we see to confirm identification, and due to the bite, it seemed like a good idea.

"I was not concerned. It may have been shock or disbelief but I felt okay."

"I have been on this property for 25 years, and snakes are common. At least 90% of sightings have been tree snakes, pythons, or whip snakes. I was confident that an identification would confirm nothing more sinister than a lesser black.

Ms Cross commented that the snake identifiers were fantastic.

"Within six minutes, we had an approved ID. In the interim, we received directions to apply first aid and call 000. The clear and concise directions were helpful in this confused moment. A special thank you to the person who contacted Proserpine Hospital so the medical staff knew I was coming before the ambulance called it in. The community response meant that my partner felt supported, and I appreciated the kindness."

Symptoms started approximately 20 minutes after the bite.

"I began to feel intoxicated, poisoned, I knew then I was being affected by venom. My eyes were blurry, and I felt a little woozy. I had developed a bad headache and intense jaw pain. The ambulance arrived 15 minutes after the call, about five minutes after the onset of symptoms. By then, my symptoms had worsened and now included nausea, throat tightening, and vomiting.

"While traveling to the hospital, I contemplated what being bitten by a taipan meant, but I had no idea what my body was about to go through. It was shutting down!"

Once Ms Cross arrived at Proserpine Hospital her symptoms had escalated.

"The left side of my face had begun to droop, and I struggled to open my eyes. My left arm was weak, and my body began to experience muscle spasms."

When injected with the anti-venom she experienced an allergic reaction.

"I couldn’t see, my throat was closing, my muscles spasmed, and my heart was beating hard."

Immediately transferred to Mackay Base Hospital by CQ Rescue’s helicopter, Ms Cross spent six hours in the ED undergoing neuro testing, monitoring, blood tests, and fluids.

Overall, she was hospitalised for four days and rested for another 10 days at home in bed and has sustained some organ damage that unfortunately cannot be reversed.

Ms Cross finished her message to the community with the following: "I would like to thank everyone involved. There are many: the medical teams at Proserpine, Mackay Base, and Mackay Mater hospitals; the paramedics; CQ Rescue; the snake identifiers; the tea ladies; my family and partner; and the kind community that sent best wishes. Thank you!"

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