Lymington newlywed Amy Thomson hospitalised after standing on stonefish during honeymoon in Mauritius

A NEWLYWED from Lymington was rushed to hospital on her tropical honeymoon after being stung by the most venomous fish in the world.

Amy Thomson (27) was enjoying a luxury stay with new husband Callum (37) in Mauritius after their wedding.

But at the beginning of their second week disaster struck after she went to cool off in the sea.

Amy, head stylist at Angel Hair Boutique in Lymington, told the A&T: “We had been snorkelling and were then just about to enjoy a barbecue on the beach.

“I was hot so decided to just have a quick dip. I went to put beach shoes on but one of the guides said I didn’t need them.”

In the sea she felt a sharp pain in her right foot but thought she had just scratched herself on coral.

She soon realised it was more serious.

Amy said: “The pain was unreal by the time I got back to the beach. My foot had also doubled in size. I was just in total agony.

“When we got to the hotel the doctor there examined me and immediately sent me off to hospital.

“Callum was not allowed to come with me and was in a complete panic.

“It was awful for him.”

At the hospital she was given morphine and told that she had been stung by a stonefish.

The fish has 13 spines along its back which release venom if stepped on.

Unless treated quickly, stings can result in paralysis, death of body tissue, and even heart failure.

Amy was told she was “very lucky” as only one or two of the spines had pierced her foot.

She said: “The hospital were amazing. The surgeon had to make an incision and squeeze out any venom in my foot.

“I was also given anti-venom.

“I had to stay the night and then spent the rest of our honeymoon with my foot bandaged and up.

“I’ve got a great tan line from the bandage!”

Eight weeks on from her stonefish encounter, Amy has still not fully recovered but is back home and receiving hospital treatment.

She said: “My wound is still inflamed and oozing. It’s not so painful now but I’m still wearing a bandage.”

Her treatment in Mauritius cost £1,800 which was covered by travel insurance.

Amy said the experience had “not ruined our honeymoon completely”, adding: “We had had a fantastic first week and I was still able to sunbathe on a lounger for the second.

“Obviously it’s not the kind of thing you ever want to happen on honeymoon but I count myself lucky after learning just how dangerous stonefish can be.

“I’d never even heard of one before.”