German paramedic's narrow brush with death after being stung by fish

by · Mail Online

A paramedic is lucky to be alive after he was stung by the world's deadliest fish during a dip at a picturesque cove in Western Australia.

German national Kacper Krupa, 26, was swimming at Hearson Cove near Karratha, about 1,500km north of Perth, when he was stung by a stonefish.

Mr Krupa had been about 100metres offshore in waist-deep water when he put his left hand down onto what he had thought was sand.

'Something stung me on my finger… I just took the hand out of the water and it was bleeding a little bit,' he told the ABC. 

He said the pain was like an 'elephant kicking your heart' that moved from his hand to his arm, shoulder, chest and eventually his heart. 

Mr Krupa, who had been with his girlfriend at the time, had to drive himself to the nearest hospital as she is still leaning to drive. 

'She was basically just changing the gears, I was pressing the clutch because I couldn't use my left hand,' he said.

'I was trying not to rip off the steering wheel because of the pain.' 

German paramedic Kacper Krupa, 26 (pictured) was swimming at Hearson Cove, near Karratha about 1,500 kilometres north of Perth when he was stung by a stonefish
Australia has two primary stonefish species, the reef stonefish and the estuarine stonefish (pictured). Stonefish have 13 dorsal spines containing potent neurotoxic venom and the sting causes extreme pain, potential cardiac arrest and paralysis

On arrival at Karratha Hospital, Mr Krupa was given painkillers and his hand was placed in hot water and vinegar. 

Mr Krupa recovered in hospital for a day and started a week-long course of antibiotics after being discharged.

A local returned his phone after he left it at the beach amid the chaos.

Mr Krupa warned Aussies to wear protection in areas where stonefish might be in lieu of his ordeal.

He said urgent medical attention is essential after being stung by a stonefish and that putting the affected area in very hot water right away will alleviate some of the immediate pain.  

Stonefish are considered the world's most venomous fish. 

Australia has two primary stonefish species, the reef stonefish and the estuarine stonefish. 

Stonefish have remarkable camouflage abilities that help them blend seamlessly with rocks, coral, and the seafloor.

Mr Krupa was swimming at Hearson Cove (pictured) a popular beach near Karratha about 1,500km north of Perth when he was stung on the hand

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They have 13 dorsal spines that contain potent neurotoxic venom and the sting causes extreme pain, potential cardiac arrest and paralysis.

There have been no recorded deaths from stonefish stings in Australia since European settlement, with an antivenom developed in 1959.