Elderly Woman Bitten by Venomous Snake in Wong Tai Sin Public Housing Estate
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 60-year-old woman sustained a snake bite injury in Wong Tai Sin on the evening of May 18 when a venomous green bamboo snake attacked her near her residential building. The incident occurred around 8:29 PM as the victim, identified as Ms. Yip, was passing by the lobby of Wang Yiu House in Wang Tau Hom Estate. The snake lunged from a flower bed, striking her left foot before bystanders and security personnel intervened to contain the reptile.
Key Points
- The incident took place at approximately 8:29 PM on May 18 in front of Wang Yiu House, Wang Tau Hom Estate, Wong Tai Sin
- The victim, a 60-year-old woman surnamed Yip, was bitten on her left little toe after a one-foot-long green bamboo snake emerged from a flower bed
- Neighbors heard her cries for help and a building security guard assisted by placing a plastic bucket over the snake to prevent its escape
- Paramedics arrived, dressed her wound, and transported her to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she received treatment in a conscious state
- A professional snake catcher was summoned, who safely captured the snake by hand and placed it in a plastic bag for removal
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the persistent risk of encounters between urban residents and Hong Kong's native venomous wildlife, even within dense residential estates. While green bamboo snake bites rarely prove fatal, the species' hemotoxic venom can cause severe swelling, intense pain, and uncontrolled bleeding, underscoring the importance of prompt medical attention and the availability of antivenom at hospitals .
The incident highlights the persistent risk of encounters between urban residents and Hong Kong's native venomous wildlife, even within dense residential estates. While green bamboo snake bites rarely prove fatal, the species' hemotoxic venom can cause severe swelling, intense pain, and uncontrolled bleeding, underscoring the importance of prompt medical attention and the availability of antivenom at hospitals .