T’puram: A 33-year-old snake catcher died on Thursday after being bitten by a snake in Chirayinkeezhu. The deceased Sandeep, a native of Enchakkal, Chirayinkeezhu, had been staying in a rented house.According to locals, Sandeep often caught snakes when people in the area sought his help. They suspect he may have been bitten by a snake he had captured while he was on his way back home.He had returned home with a snake he had caught when he was bitten. The exact time of the bite could not be ascertained.Sandeep was taken to taluk hospital, Chirayinkeezhu, around 11.30am on Wednesday after he developed severe vomiting and neurological symptoms. Doctors suspected cobra envenomation based on the severity and nature of the symptoms. Hospital authorities said they did not have information on when exactly the snakebite had occurred. However, the severity of his condition indicated that considerable time may have elapsed since the bite.He was administered an anti-snake venom immediately. As his condition remained critical, he was shifted to MCH, Thiruvananthapuram, within about half an hour. However, his condition deteriorated and he died at the MCH in the early hours of Thursday.The body was handed over to his relatives after the postmortem examination. Sandeep is survived by his wife, Rajani.
