'Worst pain I've ever felt': Woman recalls encounter with deadly Irukandji jellyfish
A Western Australian childcare worker has told of the crippling pain she endured after suffering a suspected sting from the potentially deadly irukandji jellyfish.
Rhiannon Petticrew, 20, went to Cable Beach in Broome for a swim with her friends on the morning of Anzac Day.
“The pain was probably the worst pain I’ve ever felt,” the injured childcare worker told GWN7.
“It was like my whole body was cramping up, there was nothing I could do to stop it hurting.
“It’s a bit scary, you don’t think it will happen to you.
“I’m a bit scared to go back in the water.
Rhiannon’s friends rushed her to Broome Hospital as lifeguards instructed remaining beachgoers to exit the water. WA Country Health said she was treated for a suspected irukandji sting.
She was discharged from hospital on Thursday morning.
“I ran over to my boyfriend, he was shouted at,” one woman told GWN7.
“A lifeguard said get out of the sea, someone’s been stung by an Irukandji… you’ve got to get out now.”
Lifeguards spent Anzac Day sweeping the shore searching for the jellyfish – a process that will be repeated continually over the next couple of days after the beach was reopened Thursday morning.
“We do stringer jags twice a day, now we’ll be doing them every hour,” one lifeguard said.
“Then we have to have a shower, rinse ourselves off with vinegar to minimises the risk of any stings that are on the suit.”
