A snake bite left two people stranded on a cliff in need of urgent rescue in the UK.
A search team was deployed by the Coastguard in Cornwall to track down an unnamed pair who had dialled 999 after one of them was bitten by what is believed to be an adder.
Ramblers and dog walkers have been warned adders are beginning to wake up from hibernation, CornwallLive reports.
The bite on June 13 happened on a cliff in the Delabole area or north Cornwall, where a lifeboat took the wounded person to the ambulance service for receive medical care.
A spokesperson for Boscastle Coastguard said: "Team tasked to two persons stuck on the cliff at Tregardock Beach, with one person believed to be bitten by an adder.
"Polzeath Coastguard were also tasked alongside Padstow Lifeboat. Search teams were set up and a hasty search was going on to locate the two persons involved from the cliffs and shoreline.
"With the two persons involved finally located, the best extraction method was for Padstow lifeboat to use their Y-class boat. with the two persons now rescued, they were taken to Padstow [lifeboat] station to the awaiting ambulance."
In a joint statement, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the National Trust have now stressed that, although most snake bites in the UK are not serious, it is important to get all snake bites checked as soon as possible.
"If you think you have been bitten by a snake out on the coast path and need medical assistance call 999 and ask for immediate help," the statement reads.
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"Stay calm, most snake bites in the UK are not serious and can be treated. Keep the part of your body that was bitten as still as you can. Lie in the recovery position if you can.
"Take paracetamol for any pain. Try to remember the colour and pattern of the snake to tell the doctor. Take off any jewellery and loosen clothes near the bite, in case it swells.
"Do not go near the snake, or try to catch or kill it, do not try to suck or cut the poison (venom) out of the bite, do not tie anything tightly round the part of the body where the bite is, do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, as they can make bleeding worse."
If your dog is bitten, you should carry him or her to try and reduce the spread of venom, bathe the wound in cold water to help control the swelling and try to keep your dog quiet and warm as you travel to your nearest vet practice.
The adder is the only venomous snake reported in the UK.
"Telling the doctors the colour and pattern of the snake that bit you could help them treat it," the warning continues.
"Adders are grey or reddish-brown, with a dark zig-zag shaped stripe down their back. Grass snakes are usually green, with dark spots down their sides and yellow and black bands around their neck.
"Smooth snakes are usually grey or brown with a dark pattern. The pattern down their backs are lighter and less zig-zag shaped than on adders."
If anyone is in danger or need emergency help, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
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