An Australian teenager narrowly escaped death after being bitten by a blue-ringed octopus, which just so happens to be one of the world’s most toxic animals. He had the lucky escape after accidentally picking up the deadly octopus while picking shells at a popular beach near Perth.
From bad to worse
As per a report in local news publication Perth Now, the incident almost took a turn for the worse. The young man, 18-year-old Jacob Eggington, was collecting shells for his young niece.
He had just taken out shells from his pocket to give to her when he spotted the blue-ringed octopus.
Jacob’s brother Joshua told 7News Perth that as soon as the teenager “saw the octopus, he yelled really loudly.”
“Just a few seconds later and the toddler would have been holding it.” This could’ve proven deadly.
“That’s probably when the more dramatic thoughts (started), to think what could have happened. So in the same way, he did get bit, but, but he probably saved one of his niece’s or nephew’s life,” he added.
Blue-ringed octopus bite
Jacob was rushed to Rockingham Hospital, where he had to undergo emergency treatment for more than six hours for the blue octopus sting. If the deadly marine animal had bitten the toddler, it could’ve been fatal.
As per Murdoch University marine scientist professor Jennifer Verduin, a bite from the blue-ringed octopus can kill within 30 minutes.
The deadly cephalopod injects its victims with Tetrodotoxin, a chemical that stops nerves from signalling to muscles. It rapidly weakens and paralyses muscles, leading to respiratory arrest and eventually death. There is no antivenom, which makes encounters with the ocean animal extremely dangerous.
Issuing a warning ahead of the summer holidays, Verduin said, “They’re very good at hiding so we wouldn’t normally see them that often, but they are there.”
Beach goers have been asked to wear reef shoes to protect themselves. In case someone gets bit, they should seek immediate medical treatment, warns the report.
(With inputs from agencies)
