[Sean]

You northern boys seen this


NEW TREATMENT FOR DEADLY JELLYFISH STING SAVES BRITISH DIVER

23-year-old diver Tim Saxon from South Yorkshire defied death after being stung by the lethal Irukandji jellyfish while diving on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Saxon was rushed to hospital in a state of paralysis with his heart beating erratically as a result of the jellyfish venom. Unfortunately, no antidote has been developed to the Irukandji sting, which means that most victims go into full respiratory arrest and perish.

Australian doctors used a magnesium based intravenous drip to stabilise Saxon's condition. Marine biologist Maya Stranivasan was part of the team which developed the life-saving treatment. Coincidentally, she is a cousin of the stricken diver, but he only found out about her role in his recovery after he telephoned her from the hospital.

The tiny Irukandji jellyfish is regarded as one of the most poisonous in the world. As many as twenty people per year, mostly swimmers, are thought to be killed by it's venom. However, as many victims die of what appears to be a heart attack shortly after reaching the shore, an accurate estimate of numbers is difficult to come by.

16 March 2003