Student dies after being bitten by Mamba

[grayghost]

British wildlife student dies in front of girlfriend minutes after being bitten by black Mamba snake.
11th March 2008

A British wildlife student died after being bitten by a black Mamba snake during a field trip in South Africa. Nathan Layton, 27, fell into a coma in front of girlfriend Laura Woolley and died within minutes. Relatives told how Mr Layton of Wing, Berkshire, had wanted to become a vet working in the South African bush.

Nathan died in front of his girlfriend after being bitten by a black Mamba while in South Africa. He was on a course paid for with compensation money from a near-fatal car crash.
They were with a group of teachers and fellow students when it happened. His aunt Jacqui Edwards told The Sun newspaper: "Within minutes, he was dead." She described him as "a loving, caring person with such a warm heart". The student had dreamed of a life saving animals in the South African bush – like vet-turned-game park ranger Danny Trevanion in ITV drama Wild At Heart. And he had just enrolled on a college wildlife course. His devastated parents are arranging for his body to be flown back to Britain. The black Mamba is the world's fastest snake and can slither at speeds of up to 12mph. It is also the world's second deadliest snake.

[BILLY D.]

I don't know what to say about these types of things, because most of my comments would be negative.

So ill just bite my tongue and shut up.

Best wishes, Bill

[Dom]

The Black Mamba is definitely not to be taken lightly. I have never seen one in real life and won't regret it if I never do. I watched a video clip from a bow hunter in Africa, he was in his pit blind and a Mamba came in, but he got out without getting bit. It amazed me how the snake could go straight up 5 or 6 feet, they gotta be strong, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[grayghost]

Last year when I was in Zimbabwe, we encountered 3; two black and one green Mamba. At no time was I in danger but just being near them makes you nervous. It was February; summer in Africa. At no time have I ever seen any snake during May-July when I normally hunt there. I did find a small shed Golden Cobra skin last year, but the snake had long left it behind. It pays to stay frosty when hunting in warmer climates. grayghost

[M.T. Pockets]

I've scared grizzly bears at close quarters and it's scary. But, I'd face any two bears at once compared to one of those snakes.