A Channel Nine broadcaster came into contact with one of the ocean’s most destructive jellyfish, but luckily emerged from the encounter with only a rash.
Andrew Hawes was stung by a bluebottle jellyfish at Forster Beach, 110km south of Port Macquarie, in NSW on Friday.
Mr Hawes shared photos of the blisters he was left with on social media and thanked the people who helped him treat them.
The painful injury was on his upper left arm near the shoulder and extended in large welts across his bicep.
To celebrate his recovery from his confrontation with the beast, Mr Hawes took his family out to play putt-putt golf on dry land shortly afterwards.
“Returning from a brutal bluebottle attack on Forster Beach… to take on the family putt-putt golf challenge for the second year in a row,” he wrote.
‘Thanks to Forster-Tuncurry Lions Club for the silverware!’
Channel Nine star Andrew Hawes shared photos of the nasty welts he got from a bluebottle sting on social media
Portuguese Man of War jellyfish, or bluebottles, have venom that laces their tentacles and can cause serious reactions if not treated quickly (stock photo)
The comments on the post ranged from supportive to tough love, as everyone around clamored to give their two cents.
“You should use this story to teach the Parramatta Eels what real courage is and how sometimes you have to dig deep and look hard in the mirror to overcome adversity.”
“Blokiest and Aussiest post of the summer so far,” a second added.
“I need a bag of cement,” a third suggested cheekily.
2GB announced in December that Mr Hawse, a 25-year media veteran, would host Wide World of Sports after Mark Levy moved to the morning slot to replace now-retired talkback titan Ray Hadley.
Mr Hawes was stung by the highly venomous jellyfish at Forster Beach, 110km south of Port Macquarie, in NSW on Friday.
Portuguese war jellyfish, also called bluebottles because of their fluorescent blue color, sting their victims with venom that laces their tentacles.
The subsequent blistering caused by a sting can cause days of burning pain, swelling and itching, joint pain, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
In the worst case, the sting can be fatal.
However, this depends on several factors, including the victim’s age, whether he or she is taking medications, and the location of the wound.
A wound from the creature can be easily treated by gently washing the sore with seawater to remove any tentacles attached to the area before immersing the wound in hot water for at least 20 minutes.
No fatalities have been recorded in Australia due to bluebottle flies, but two deaths have been caused by the painful Irukandji jellyfish found in northern Australia.