Snake record attempt goes wrong
2009-09-25 10:21
Johannesburg - A South African man's attempt to break a world record for handling venomous snakes ended with a puff adder bite, the Star newspaper reported on Friday.
"Nutty Natie" Swart was bitten on Monday on day 37 of his Guinness World Record attempt to spend 121 days with 40 venomous snakes at the Chameleon Village Reptile and Conservation Park at Hartbeespoort Dam.
Swart was handling a black mamba and so was unaware of the puff adder, sitting only centimetres from his feet, that struck him.
"Swart has been bitten 28 times in his life and says this was the most stupid," reported the paper.
On Tuesday, Swart underwent surgery to relieve the swelling in his leg. He will be left with a large scar due to tissue damage.
Swart will undergo a second round of surgery on Friday, this time to close a large, open wound on his leg. Doctors will also consider whether one of his toes will need to be amputated.
- SAPA