Snake strikes foreigner in the Similans

SIMILAN ISLANDS: Australian Anthony Lynam was airlifted from the Similan Islands to Phya Thai hospital earlier this week after being bitten on the foot by a deadly Pope’s pit viper. Lynam, 34, was on a diving trip with Santana Diving Co of Patong when he decided to take a look around the local forest. Because of storms and high seas it was impossible to evacuate him by boat, so a helicopter from the Third Fleet of the Royal Thai Navy was sent in to take him to hospital. He was admitted in poor condition, with a very slow pulse, but after two days in the hospital’s intensive care unit was fit enough to walk using a cane. Lynam later flew to Bangkok to meet his mother, who had flown in from Australia. It was understood that he would also spend some time in hospital there for further treatment. Ironically, Lynam is the local head of the NGO ‘Preserve Wildlife’.