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Mamba bites tourist

A WOMAN believed to be a Russian national is fighting for her life after she was bitten by a green mamba at Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, yesterday.

A WOMAN believed to be a Russian national is fighting for her life after she was bitten by a green mamba at Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, yesterday.

"It is alleged that the woman had been crossing the road near a local shopping centre when a car passing by ran over the snake, which had also been on the roadway," said Jeff Wicks of Netcare 911 paramedics.

"The reptile then bit the woman twice on her lower leg."

Wicks said the woman was fighting for her life at Netcare Umhlanga Hospital.

"Netcare 911 paramedics arrived to find the woman at the roadside in a critical condition after the snake's cytotoxic and heamotoxic venom had taken effect," he said.

She was airlifted by the Netcare 3 Aeromedical Helicopter to the hospital.

"Metro police at the scene killed the injured snake and afterwards identified it (as a green mamba)," said Wicks. - Sapa

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