Neumljanin dies after horned viper bite despite receiving antivenom

Josip Bjelopera from the village of Dubravica, in the hinterland of Neum, died after being bitten by a horned viper, even though he promptly received the necessary antivenom. The venomous snake bit him on Sunday afternoon while he was picking tomatoes in his garden, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Immediately after the bite, Bjelopera went to the Neum Health Centre, where he received the antivenom administered in cases of snakebite at around 5 p.m.

From the Health Centre, the patient was urgently referred for further treatment to the hospital in Mostar, but on the way there he was vomiting and losing his sight, which was a sign that something was wrong, writes Večernji list.

Bjelopera was admitted to the Mostar hospital between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., but despite doctors' efforts, he died on Monday at 4 a.m., i.e., 12 hours after the snakebite.

Citing official sources, the newspaper states that the antivenom was effective and that there were no omissions in the treatment of the victim, which is why there are no elements of criminal liability in this case.