It was during a sandwich break, at an altitude of 1800 m, that the accident occurred. Julien, the little boy, sees a frog in a stream and reaches out before biting his finger. “It was very violent, very, very violent. He screamed in pain, says his father, Patrick Albero. When I saw the two fang marks in the fingers, I knew it was a snake bite. Very quickly, within 10 minutes of the bite, I realized it was a viper because it swelled up. »
“He had severe edema”
The father then starts back down and hits a hiker on the trail who tries to use an Aspivenin, to no avail. Together, the two men continue their descent as the boy's condition worsens. “We still have an hour to get down to the car. And during that time, he began to lose consciousness, to be lifeless, to vomit… I saw him die. »
Arriving in the parking lot, Patrick Albero notices that he still has no telephone network. He then decides to get behind the wheel and manages to get in touch with the firemen who arrange to meet him at the nearest fire station. Emergency services gave him first aid. Julien was eventually taken to Foix hospital where he was diagnosed with venom allergy and anaphylactic shock. “He had severe swelling all over his arm. His hand looks like a potato,” adds his father.