A 44-year-old mountain biker was rushed to Northern Beaches Hospital yesterday after being bitten by a red-bellied black snake while riding in a popular Ingleside trail.
The incident occurred around 10:30am Sunday on the Slippery Dip Trail in the area known locally as ‘Mount Narrabeen’, a remote section approximately 100m in elevation where several popular mountain biking trails converge.
According to emergency services, the rider was bitten on his right lower leg and quickly began experiencing symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and weakness in his arms. The situation could have been dire given the trail’s remote location, which typically requires up to an hour for emergency vehicles to access.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Christian Holmes, who responded to the scene, stated the victim was able to receive effective treatment within minutes of being bitten thanks to another rider who had a compression bandage in their first aid kit. The patient was in stable condition when emergency services arrived.
The injured cyclist and his companions made the decision to slowly ride downhill toward Wakehurst Parkway rather than waiting at the remote location where the bite occurred.
Emergency services, including specialist rescue firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW Narrabeen Station and three NSW Ambulance crews, met the riders at the base of the hill near the Caleyi Trail entrance off Wakehurst Parkway. Paramedics transported the patient to Northern Beaches Hospital shortly before 11:30am.
This incident highlights the challenges of emergency response in Ingleside’s popular but remote trail network, which lies just 300m from Wakehurst Parkway but requires 4WD access via Morgan Road, Belrose, adding significant time to rescue operations.
Red-bellied black snakes are medically significant, with symptoms appearing within minutes of a bite. Medical experts recommend keeping snake bite victims still and immobilising the affected limb with a pressure bandage until emergency services arrive.
Published 7-April-2025
