Teen attacked by Bristol gang 'brandishing snake'
A teenager was bitten by a snake during an attack by a gang of boys in Bristol.
The 14-year-old was bitten on the arm after he was set upon by the group.
The boy was pinned down in Bradley Stoke, on Saturday afternoon, when he was bitten by the reptile.
Great Western Ambulance service (GWAS) said the boy had been set upon by gang armed with several snakes.
GWAS said it happened in Merryweather Close, Bradley Stoke, and the boy was pinned against a wall.
Avon and Somerset police have today confirmed that the incident took place in Merryweather Close, but said that it involved only one snake.
A spokesman said the victim was a black teenager who also suffered racist comments.
Avon and Somerset police said the creature involved was a four-foot long green snake used on the boy after he was pinned down on the ground.
A force spokesman said today: "The teenager had been subject to racist comments and then reportedly held down as a snake was held in front of him, which bit his right arm.
"The boy was taken to Frenchay Hospital with breathing problems, where he was treated for the injury to his arm.
“Experts have confirmed that the snake, described as green coloured and about four feet long, was not venomous."
Two youths aged 16 and 17, both boys, were being interviewed by police this afternoon about the incident.
GWAS incident support officer Michael Howells, who was at the scene, also revealed how he used Google to identify the snake.
He said: "In order to try and identify the type of snake I Googled 'snakes' on my mobile to show the patient.
"He was reasonably sure he could identify the type, so I sent the image to our control room."
Duty control manager Oliver Tovey added: "We contacted Bristol Zoo to talk to their snake expert. What we described they indicated was probably a type of python – so not venomous."
The teenager was taken to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol for precautionary checks after being attended to by paramedics at 3.15pm.
Mr Howells added: "Although the patient was suffering breathing difficulties after the attack, this was probably due to panic rather than a reaction to the bite – I would probably be panicky if that happened to me."
23 Comments
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by Mark, Bristol
Monday, August 10 2009, 9:30AM
“All those years of watching Jake 'The Snake' Roberts (ok, he was before these kids time) in WWF have impacted on their minds.
Blame the wrestling, bring back Big Daddy!”
by johnB, Bristol
Sunday, August 09 2009, 9:50PM
“Just what the Hell is this world coming too ??.The only thing I feel sorry for is THE SNAKE ! !.”
by Fizzer, Knowlewest,
Sunday, August 09 2009, 7:29PM
“Mike-p, thats a good un. I wonder if the next gang will use a poison snake. We will have to see!”
by WUM, Briz
Sunday, August 09 2009, 6:30PM
“Don't worry the snake will turn them in. It looks like it's a grass snake........I know, I know.”
by Mike P, Bristol
Sunday, August 09 2009, 5:09PM
“Fizzer,
Trust you to bring getting phissssssed up in it”
by Fizzer, Knowlewest,
Sunday, August 09 2009, 4:51PM
“Welldone lads, its the new meaning to a larger and cider-snake bite,,,”
by andrew, frenchay
Sunday, August 09 2009, 4:31PM
“Pinned to a wall now the floor, snake bite on the hand now on the arm, racism what ever next 4ft python or was it 14ft !! it keeps getting better.”
by jim, ssssiston common
Sunday, August 09 2009, 4:20PM
“This boy has watched snakes on the plane to much”
by Anon, Bristol
Sunday, August 09 2009, 4:19PM
“Not sure if the facts are correct either - BEP says the boy was pinned to a wall...yet the BBC says the boy was pinned to the floor...there is a vast difference between the two!”
by Mike P, Bristol
Sunday, August 09 2009, 3:43PM
“I think the teenagers were brandishing "Rakes", hence the puncture wounds in the hand.
I knew there was a simple explanation!”