West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Tuesday 14 January 1896, page 5


FATAL CASE OF SNAKE BITE.

A CHILD BITTEN WHILE ASLEEP.

MELBOURNE, January 13.

A fatal case of snake bite occurred at Strezleckie early this morning, the victim being an eight years old girl named Kelly. It appears that the girl was sleeping with her elder sister, and about 2 o'clock this morning woke up crying. She explained to her sister, who asked what was the matter, that she had

hurt her finger. Her sister then put out her hand to get some matches and placed it right on the head of a snake. An alarm was at once raised, and an examination was made.

It was found that the girl had been bitten on the finger, arm, and throat. The wounds

were scarified and sucked, and the father immediately started off to Korumburra with the child for medical aid, but before he got half way the young sufferer died. The snake was found coiled up under the bed, and was

killed.