A woman from Shropshire, England, has spoken to the BBC about being left in intensive care after a venomous snake bite marred her 40th birthday celebration in Cyprus.
Sam West was about to participate in a meditation session at a Paphos hotel on April 3, when a blunt-nosed viper bit her leg.
Since her discharge from the hospital last Monday, West has relied on a wheelchair for mobility.
Holidaying with her wife Kate, West is awaiting word from her insurance company regarding her return flight. As of now, she isn’t expected to be cleared for travel until Tuesday.
Describing the ordeal, West said the 1.5-meter-long viper struck just as she was about to step onto the meditation platform.
“It quickly, before I had time to react, bit me just above my left ankle,” she said.
TUI staff and others sprang into action, assisting West before she was transported to the emergency department. There, a doctor confirmed the need for anti-venom.
Following four days in intensive care and one day in a different ward, West was released back to the hotel with medication. However, the specially equipped room with disabled access came at a cost of €310 per night.
According to West, the hotel responded promptly by clearing vegetation around the meditation platform and calling pest control twice.
A TUI UK & Ireland spokesperson said it was “aware of an incident” at the hotel earlier this month adding the “safety of our customers is our highest priority.”
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