Latest news with #BillKitchen
Metro
13-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Foragers rushed to hospital after eating highly poisonous plant with no antidote
Two experienced foragers had to be rescued from a small Welsh island after eating suspected poisonous hemlock. Barry Dock RNLI sent a crew to Sully Island, off the coast of Swanbridge in south Wales, where they found two people 'showing signs of anxiety'. It is believed the two people had ingested hemlock, a poisonous plant with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in summer, which produces a repellent smell when its leaves are crushed. Hemlock can be fatal even in small amounts, affecting the body's nervous system, eventually causing death by respiratory failure. The pair, who were found on the eastern beach on Saturday May 3, were immediately returned to the mainland for treatment, where they were handed to Barry Coastguard Rescue Team. The rescue team identified elevated pulse rates and provided the pair with oxygen. The RNLI said in a statement: 'Barry Dock RNLI's inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard on Saturday, May 3, to locate, assess, and medevac two casualties on Sully Island reported to have potentially ingested hemlock. 'The volunteer crew were advised the casualties, experienced foragers, were on the eastern beach and were located quickly. 'On arrival the casualties were showing signs of anxiety so the crew immediately fitted them with lifejackets and embarked both onto the ILB for immediate transport to the mainland.' Bill Kitchen, lifeboat operations manager at Barry Dock RNLI, added: 'We've since been in touch and are very relieved to hear that both have made a full recovery. 'They absolutely made the right call in seeking help – in situations like this, it's crucial that medical attention is sought without delay. We're very glad this had a positive outcome.' Hemlock appears like a cluster of white flowers and is common in shallow water. It is also known as hemlock water-dropwort and hemlock root. More Trending The plant can also be found near rivers or fresh water and sometimes on beaches if it washes up during storms. Hemlock poisoning can cause a rash or burning of the eyes if it is touched. Symptoms tend to start 30 minutes or up to three hours after first contact. People are advised to seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they have been poisoned. If any part of the plant is ingested this can lead to respiratory failure. Other symptoms include: Trembling Burning sensation in digestive tract Increased salivation Dilated pupils Muscle pain and weakness Decreased heart rate Loss of speech Convulsions Unconsciousness Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The UK beach with 'crystal clear waters' named the best hidden coastal gem MORE: Passengers are 'swerving' train fares with trick to save over £50 per ticket MORE: The unhealthiest supermarket ready meals revealed — plus one dish saltier than two pizzas
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Foragers rescued from island over fears they had eaten poisonous plant
A pair of foragers had to be rescued by lifeboats from an island as they thought they had eaten poisonous hemlock. Lifeboats were called after the 'experienced' foragers feared they had ingested the toxic plant. They were found in the eastern beach of Sully Island, off South Wales, 'showing signs of anxiety'. The pair were taken by boat to the mainland where coastguards found they had high pulse rates and were treated with oxygen. They were taken to hospital for checks and later given the all clear. Bill Kitchen, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Barry Dock RNLI, said: 'We've since been in touch and are very relieved to hear that both have made a full recovery. 'They absolutely made the right call in seeking help – in situations like this it's crucial that medical attention is sought without delay. We're very glad this had a positive outcome.' 'Notoriously poisonous plant' The Wildlife Trust describes hemlock as 'a notoriously poisonous plant' which has 'umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in summer'. The plant contains toxins that attack a person's nervous system and can be fatal. According to the trust it 'can be found in damp places, such as ditches, riverbanks and waste ground.' Sully Island is an uninhabited small island that can be accessed by foot at low tide from the village of Sully in the Vale of Glamorgan. It is 400 metres off the mainland and each year a number of visitors are rescued by lifeboats having misread the tide and become stranded.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sully Island: Foragers rescued from Welsh island after eating suspected poisonous plant
Two people had to be rescued from a Welsh island after eating a suspected poisonous plant. The pair were "showing signs of anxiety" after consuming what is believed to be hemlock, the RNLI said. A crew was sent from Barry Dock to Sully Island, off the coast of Swanbridge in South Wales. Hemlock is a poisonous plant with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in the summer. The plant, which produces a repellent smell when its leaves are crushed, can be fatal even in small amounts. The experienced foragers were found on the eastern beach on Saturday 3 May and were immediately taken for treatment back on the mainland. They were given oxygen by the Barry Coastguard Rescue Team, who identified elevated pulse rates. Read more from Sky News:Man in jail for decades has conviction quashedTory MP charged with sexual assaults Bill Kitchen, lifeboat operations manager at Barry Dock RNLI, said in a statement it had been "in touch" with the pair and were "relieved to hear that both have made a full recovery". "They absolutely made the right call in seeking help - in situations like this, it's crucial that medical attention is sought without delay. We're very glad this had a positive outcome," he added.
Sky News
13-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Sully Island: Foragers rescued from Welsh island after eating suspected poisonous plant
Two people had to be rescued from a Welsh island after eating a suspected poisonous plant. The pair were "showing signs of anxiety" after consuming what is believed to be hemlock, the RNLI said. A crew was sent from Barry Dock to Sully Island, off the coast of Swanbridge in South Wales. Hemlock is a poisonous plant with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in the summer. The plant, which produces a repellent smell when its leaves are crushed, can be fatal even in small amounts. The experienced foragers were found on the eastern beach on Saturday 3 May and were immediately taken for treatment back on the mainland. They were given oxygen by the Barry Coastguard Rescue Team, who identified elevated pulse rates. Bill Kitchen, lifeboat operations manager at Barry Dock RNLI said in a statement it had been "in touch" with the pair and were "relieved to hear that both have made a full recovery". "They absolutely made the right call in seeking help - in situations like this, it's crucial that medical attention is sought without delay. We're very glad this had a positive outcome," he added.
Powys County Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Foragers rescued from Welsh island after eating suspected hemlock
Two experienced foragers had to be rescued from a small Welsh island after eating suspected poisonous hemlock. Barry Dock RNLI sent a crew to Sully Island, off the coast of Swanbridge in south Wales, where they found two people 'showing signs of anxiety'. It is believed the two people had ingested hemlock, a poisonous plant with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in summer, which produces a repellent smell when its leaves are crushed. Hemlock can be fatal even in small amounts, affecting the body's nervous system, eventually causing death by respiratory failure. The pair, who were found on the eastern beach on Saturday May 3, were immediately returned to the mainland for treatment, where they were handed to Barry Coastguard Rescue Team. The rescue team identified elevated pulse rates and provided the pair with oxygen. In a statement, Bill Kitchen, lifeboat operations manager at Barry Dock RNLI said: 'We've since been in touch and are very relieved to hear that both have made a full recovery. 'They absolutely made the right call in seeking help – in situations like this, it's crucial that medical attention is sought without delay. We're very glad this had a positive outcome.'
