Man nearly died after being bitten by an adder

David Cook had to be airlifted to hospital after his body went into anaphylactic shock when he accidentally trod on an adder in East Mersea.

He spent four nights in hospital and doctors told him he was lucky to be alive.

Adders are the only venomous snakes in the UK, but attacks are considered very rare and their bites are painful, but generally not dangerous.

Mr Cook, his wife Jill and friends had been walking in Cudmore Grove Country Park. They were returning to their caravan when he felt a sudden pain in his right foot.

He looked down in time to see a snake slithering away from him.

Within minutes, he collapsed from anaphylactic shock and circulatory failure.

Mrs Cook, 59, dialled 999 and Essex Air Ambulance took him to Colchester General Hospital, where he was treated in the coronary care unit.

“My wife was told that, had she not called 999 right away, I would not have survived,” said Mr Cook. I’m home now and can walk only a short distance on crutches, my right leg having swollen to twice its usual size following the snake attack.”

He is a surveyor and has not been able to work since he was bitten two weeks ago.

East Mersea is well known for its adder population and adder spotting is listed as one of the activities on the country park’s website.

Nature warden Dougal Urquhart said dogs had been bitten on site in the past, but Mr Cook was the first case of a person being attacked.

He said: “We get thousands of people coming to East Mersea to walk, enjoy the park, the coast and the wildlife and this is the first time a person has been bitten.

“So it’s not at all common and there is more chance of being struck by lightning. People need to be alert and keep an eye out but they don’t need to be worried. If they are concerned, they should stick to a well-used path.”

Mr Cook, 54, from West Horndon, praised Essex Air Ambulance, and added: “The treatment and care I received at Colchester Hospital was excellent and even the food was good!