32-Year-Old Australian Cyclist Cheats Death in Unbelievable Encounter with Australia’s Second-Deadliest Snake

Imagine getting bit by the second-deadliest snake on the Earth and walking out unscathed! Well, if this sounds too good to be true, then you definitely want to hear the story of Andy Barlow. Barlow, the 32-year-old Australian cyclist planned for some serene retreat in the lap of nature. As he pedaled through the terrains of the You Yang mountain range in Victoria, he came too close to an Eastern Brown! For the uninformed, while Australia is home to several poisonous species of serpents, the Eastern Brown has a bite that can cause instant fatality. 

Barlow, shell-shocked, jumped out of his bike at the sight of the reptile tangled within his rear wheels. Unfortunately, to his horror, he found out that the snake had bitten him! So what did he do next? Did the cyclist manage to survive the tragedy? Let’s uncover all the information in detail below. 

Andy Barlow comes face to face with cycling horror

While speeding through the rugged terrains of Yan Yang, Barlow stumbled across what he perceived to be a dead branch. However, much to his horror, the “branch” then went on to bite him in the back of his leg! Scared and nervous at the same time, he immediately got off his bike to discover an Eastern Brown to be the culprit. However, as he tried to relax and inspect the wound, Barlow got a huge relief. 

Luckily, the majority of the Eastern Brown’s bites are usually dry and do not contain venom. The snake that pierced its fangs through the Australian’s skin also did not bother to empty its poisonous vessel. Narrating the horrifying experience on his Instagram, Barlow mentioned, “Riding up lactic acid trail almost to the top, I heard sth in the bushes riding past, then sth hitting my back wheel. I thought it was just a branch going into the back wheel, then sth hitting the back of my right leg as the wheel was turning, slowly locking my back wheel.”

Without wasting much of his time, the Australian, quite wisely, dialed for the emergencies. He was transported to the nearest hospital at once, where he was kept under strict medical supervision. Barlow had to undergo several blood tests, post which, he was given the green signal. 

After shaking hands with doom, Barlow had a word of advice for fellow cyclists as he was thankful to the ones who helped. 

Andy Barlow warns fellow riders

The 32-year-old cyclist put out a word of warning for everyone trying to navigate their paths on a bike through the wilderness. He stated that during his 50 years of experience in riding, encounters with snakes were common. However, he also mentioned that none of his previous experiences matched with the horror he had encountered in this instance. Barlow advised his fellow mates to always carry an emergency snake bite kit while treading in the woods. 

Read More: “It Was Really Painful to Walk”: Toddler’s Swimming Vacation Turns Into a Total Disaster as She Falls Prey to a Venomous Snake Attack

The Australian also extended his hearty thanks to everyone who came forward to help. He stated, “BIG THANKS to the blokes for stopping and helping me, the emergency services, and Neil from Parks Victoria for looking after my precious new bike! YOU ARE ALL LEGENDS THANK YOU!” 

Surely, such a close call would rank very high on the list of miracles. What are your views on the story? Do let us know in the comments below. 

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