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Rātū 5 Tīhema 2023 Tuesday 5 December 2023
Cricketing milestone
Engineering talent
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Lighting up Marlborough PAGE 4
Swimmer’s sinking feeling after eel bite PAULA HULBURT
paula@topsouthmedia.co.nz
A Blenheim man taking a dip at a popular beauty spot is warning others to be careful after he was attacked by an eel. Alex Roberton was left with a bleeding leg and a big bite mark
after a swim in Wakamarina River, a tributary of the Pelorus River. An eel, which Alex believes measured around three-foot, bit him on the top of his leg, leaving distinctive puncture marks. Department of Conservation specialists say the incident is “very rare.”
DOC Technical Advisor Freshwater Sjaan Bowie says they have staff who regularly work in waterways who have never been bitten. “It is very rare, and generally results in a small graze. Several DOC staff who have worked regularly in waterways with eels for over 20 years have never been bit-
ten or if they have, it is only once or twice, minor, and often only when eels feel threatened, such as being removed from nets.” It left the Top South Media advertising specialist worried about possible infection. “It felt like someone had grabbed my leg at first and then it got
worse, more like someone had got me with pliers. “My leg was bleeding, and driving back to Blenheim, it started to get a bit warm but I got some antiseptic on it and it’s been okay since. “I’m keeping a close eye on it.”
See more on page 3
Banding together
The annual Blenheim Christmas parade took place on Saturday. Despite the patchy weather crowds turned out in force to enjoy the festive fun. Photo: Matt Brown.
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