Grandma’s Warning After Irukandji Sting at Horseshoe Bay

A day out on the tranquil sands of Horseshoe Bay turned into a harrowing emergency for an Ayr family, when their nine-year-old granddaughter Olivia was stung by an Irukandji jellyfish.

Chris Richardson, Olivia’s grandmother, is now sharing the family’s story to raise awareness about the dangers of Irukandji stings.

On Monday 2nd February, the family spent their morning teaching Olivia to fish in the shallows – even though, as Chris jokes, the seagulls got 90% of the bait. At lunchtime, Olivia suddenly stated her skin felt really itchy, all over her body.

Thinking it was just sea lice, Chris sent Olivia for a shower, but when she returned feeling worse, she decided to take her home to see a doctor.

But quickly, the symptoms progressed, with Olivia complaining of pain, her skin now hurting all over.

Chris admits she initially wondered if Olivia was exaggerating, joking that her granddaughter has a flair for dramatics and will request a bandage for the lightest scratch.

But then, Chris asked Olivia to pinpoint the pain, and Olivia said, “it feels like it's in my chest and it's going around my back.”

Straight away, alarm bells sounded.

A former nurse, Chris recognised the symptom as an indication of heart distress, which presents this way in women — very different from the crushing chest pressure more commonly described by men.

Instead of driving home to Ayr, Chris and Olivia’s Grandfather, Bob, made a decision that likely saved Olivia’s life, choosing to head straight to Bowen Hospital’s emergency department.

According to the treating doctor, had they attempted the longer drive home, Olivia may have gone into cardiac arrest in the car.

On arrival at the emergency department, Olivia had begun going into cardiac fibrillation. Staff moved quickly, administering antivenom and magnesium — a treatment used to reduce pain and protect the heart from dangerous rhythm disturbances associated with Irukandji syndrome.

Seeing Olivia in such pain was incredibly difficult for Chris and Bob, with Bob also treated for shock.

Chris credits the staff at Bowen Hospital for their exceptional service, keeping calm, and treating her granddaughter with an astounding level of care — from the receptionist at the front desk to the emergency nurses and the attending doctor.

Praising Doctor Luke, she said, “He’s got three daughters himself, which helped him relate to Olivia. He spoke to her very gently and held her arm while she was crying, explaining everything they were going to do and why.”

Later, Chris joked to her husband, “If I ever get sick, you bring me down to Bowen Hospital.”

Olivia was kept in hospital for two days on an intravenous drip before being discharged. While the physical side effects — tingling skin and fatigue — eased within days, the emotional impact has lingered, with Olivia going through occasional bouts of tears as she processes what she experienced.

“She kept crying out, “I’m not going to die. Nanny, don’t let them make me die”,” Chris explained.

Thankfully, Olivia has now made a full recovery. The family hope the experience won’t keep her from enjoying the ocean — now equipped with a new understanding of Irukandji risks and safety precautions.

Chris warns locals and holidaymakers to be careful; Irukandji jellyfish are small, around the size of a fingernail and so are difficult to see. The initial stings themselves can go undetected, but their aftermath can include severe pain, nausea, high blood pressure and heart complications.

Whitsunday Regional Council advises swimmers to take the following precautions:

• Wear protective clothing such as a full-body lycra or neoprene suit. Not all suits offer equal protection — lycra and neoprene offer the greatest defence.
• Wear protective clothing even when wading, as many stings occur in shallow water. Enter the water slowly, as box jellyfish may swim away if given the opportunity.
• Swim between the flags and follow lifesavers’ advice at patrolled beaches.
• Be aware of high-risk conditions, including sustained north-easterly winds, calm seas, sea lice sensations in the water, and visible salps or plankton.
• Always carry vinegar when boating or undertaking marine activities.

If you suspect an Irukandji sting, call 000 immediately. When in doubt, treat it as Irukandji and seek urgent medical attention.

1 – 9 Year Old Olivia overcame a nasty Irukandji sting. Photo supplied

2 – The brave girl spent 2 days in Bowen Hospital, receiving exceptional care. Photo supplied.

3 – Irukanji jellyfish are transparent, and one cubic centimetre- making them hard to detect. Photo source: Shutterstock