An Australian tourist has survived a near-fatal encounter with a box jellyfish, one of the world's most venomous animals, while surfing in Fiji. Guy Rowles was stung on the first day of his trip at Cloudbreak, a renowned reef break in the Mamanuca Islands.
Rowles described the pain as akin to 'burning hot oil' and suffered convulsions, vomiting, and chest tightness. He was rushed to a hospital in Nadi, over an hour away, where doctors said it was too late for antivenom. Medical staff treated the sting with vinegar to neutralise remaining stinging cells.
Speaking to surfing outlet Stab, Rowles recalled fearing for his life, telling his father: 'Am I going to die?' He also called his mother to say he loved her before being driven to hospital. Doctors noted that his youth and fitness likely contributed to his survival, warning that a sting to the face or neck could have been fatal.
Box jellyfish, found in the Indo-Pacific and northern Australia, have tentacles up to 10 feet long covered in venom-filled nematocysts. They can kill a person in under five minutes. Prior to the incident, Fiji's Ministry of Health had issued a warning about the presence of box jellyfish after several patients presented with breathing problems.
Despite the ordeal, Rowles has returned to surfing, saying the experience 'definitely puts things into perspective.'
