This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-19316084#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
West Midlands Safari Park snake handler bitten by cobra West Midlands Safari Park snake handler bitten by cobra
(40 minutes later)
A snake handler at West Midlands Safari Park has been airlifted to hospital after being bitten by a venomous snake. A snake handler at West Midlands Safari Park had to be airlifted to hospital after being bitten by a venomous snake.
The man was treated on site by first aiders after the bite by a king cobra on Sunday afternoon. Keeper Mark O'Shea is said to be in a "stable condition" after the bite by a king cobra on Sunday afternoon.
Zoo director Bob Lawrence said Mr O'Shea, who he described as one of the world's leading reptile experts, was bitten as he tried to feed the snake.
He said that although king cobras were one of the most venomous snakes, it had only been "a minor nip".
He said he was hoping Mr O'Shea, from Telford, in Shropshire, would leave hospital within the next day or two.
Mr Lawrence said the safari park stored anti-venom for all of its poisonous animals, and routinely rehearsed such situations with local hospitals.
He added: "It is very, very rare that these things ever happen.
"Working with animals like this always carries hazards with it, but we have safety measures in place."
He said Mr O'Shea had been with another member of staff when he was bitten. He added that a full investigation would be carried out into the incident.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said Mr O'Shea had already received "excellent first aid" from staff who immobilised his leg and had anti-venom ready to administer if needed.
The ambulance service said: "Due to the fact the venom can be lethal if it enters the bloodstream, the man was airlifted to hospital as a precaution."The ambulance service said: "Due to the fact the venom can be lethal if it enters the bloodstream, the man was airlifted to hospital as a precaution."
The man, who is in his 50s, was described as being in a stable condition in hospital.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said the zoo worker had already received "excellent first aid" from staff who immobilised his leg and had anti-venom ready to administer if needed.
Medics at the hospital were alerted ahead of the man's arrival.Medics at the hospital were alerted ahead of the man's arrival.