Death of Qld grandfather from snake bite prompts calls for vigilance ahead of breeding season
Family members have paid tribute to a Queensland grandfather who died from a snake bite trying to save his mate in the state's north. The incident has also promoted calls for heightened vigilance.
Transcript
00:00 Donald Morrison was celebrating at his local state school centenary when he noticed a snake
00:06 wrapped around his friend's leg.
00:08 He tried to remove it but was bitten in the process, a decision that would cost him his
00:14 life.
00:15 As soon as they feel at all threatened or feel like their life is in danger, that's
00:20 when they can switch and turn on their defensive mode.
00:25 The 69 year old's family are remembering Donnie as a well-liked member of the community
00:29 who will be missed by many.
00:32 They thanked everyone involved in a statement saying people pulled together in an attempt
00:36 to resuscitate Don, but unfortunately were not successful.
00:41 The incident prompted calls for vigilance ahead of snake season.
00:44 It's suspected Mr Morrison was bitten by an eastern brown.
00:49 Already snake catchers have been inundated with sightings, given the warmer dry winter
00:54 we've just had.
00:55 Around 3,000 bites are reported nationwide each year, on average 2-3 end in death.
01:03 If someone encounters a snake at close proximity the best thing to do is stay still.
01:07 If you do get bitten, again staying still and calm will limit the venom spreading.
01:12 Call an ambulance and apply a tight compression bandage to the bite.
01:16 So the venom acts systemically throughout the body and so we want to entrap that in
01:20 the limb, so not using a tourniquet but a stretchy compression bandage.
01:24 A simple technique that can save lives.
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