Boy Miraculously Survives Bite From World's Deadliest Spider
March 01, 2017
Boy Bitten By The World's Deadliest Spider Lives To Tell About It
Matthew Mitchell shouldn't be alive after getting bitten by the world's deadliest spider. Venom from the funnel-web spider is powerful enough to kill a person in just 15 minutes. And yet, the Australian 10-year-old is still with us. And his incredible recovery is nothing short of a miracle!
Matthew was helping his dad clean out the shed at their family home near Sydney, Australia. He was moving a pair of sneakers when a funnel-web spider jumped out, wrapping itself around the boy's finger.
“It sort of clawed onto me and all the legs and everything crawled around my finger and I couldn’t get it off,” Michael recalled.
Before he was able to shake it off, the spider sank its fangs into the Michael's finger. David, the boy's father, heard his son yelp and saw him fling the insect onto the ground, which he instantly recognized as a funnel-spider. Terror mounted as David realized his son was bitten by the world's deadliest spider!
RELATED: Parents warn others after their son dies from a spider bite
Time Is Of The Essence
The funnel-web spider is one of the most poisonous spiders on Earth. Its venom -- which attacks the nervous system causing foaming at the mouth and muscle spasms -- has the ability to kill within 15 minutes.
Fully aware of the extreme danger, David used a t-shirt as a tourniquet on Michael's arm in the hopes of slowing the spread of the deadly venom. It's a smart move that helped give this story a happy ending.
"He was rattled but he should be very proud of himself, especially for applying a pressure immobilization bandage," said Tim Faulkner, the general manager of the Australian Reptile Park, a zoo that studies funnel-web spiders, as well as milks them for anti-venom purposes just like these.
Next, the family piled into the car, rushing Michael to the hospital. The boyfriend of Michael's 17-year-old sister stayed behind, capturing the spider. He brought the insect to the hospital for identification.
RELATED: Woman miraculously survives a freak accident at the State Fair
Almost Too Late
By then, the venom was taking full effect on the 10-year-old boy. Michael's eyes dilated, he was frothing at the mouth and starting to have seizures. It took 12 vials of anti-venom -- the highest recorded dose of anti-venom ever given. But finally, Michael's symptoms were stabilized.
Miraculously, just one day later, Michael headed home!
"I’ve never heard of it, it’s incredible," Tim said. "To walk out of hospital a day later with no effects is a testament to the anti-venom."
Of course, we know God is to thank for everything coming together to save Michael. He clearly has a special purpose for this boy!
Saving More Lives
Part of that purpose appears to be saving others bitten by the world's deadliest spider.
"We're the sole supplier of funnel-web venom for the production of anti-venom," Mr Faulkner said.
Unfortunately, their stock of anti-venom had reached critically low levels. That is, until Michael's bite.
Tim took the spider that bit Michael back to the Australian Reptile Park, where it is milked regularly in order to produce more vials of anti-venom. So, after miraculously surviving the harrowing incident, Michael's experience will save lives in the future!
h/t: FOX News
After being thrown into a storm drain, this baby miraculously survived!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.