12:00a.m. 15th January 2009

| By Kerryn Manifold and Amy Remeikis

The suspected snakebite victim was taken to Nambour General Hospital for observation. Photo: Brett Wortman/180415

Forget sharks. King tides and eroded beaches have forced beach goers into new danger territory as one woman found out yesterday.

The 73 year old woman approached lifeguards at Mooloolaba beach just before 1pm complaining of a "throbbing pain" in her hand.

Closer inspection revealed puncture wounds and a passing police patrol was alerted and an ambulance called.

Lifeguards and police gave the woman first aid and kept her calm while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

She was taken to Nambour General Hospital for observation, however council lifeguard Peter Mitchell said he suspected the snake either did not inject poison or was not venomous.

"Half an hour had passed (from when the woman suspected she had been bitten) and she was still alright," he said.

Doctors confirmed that while the woman received puncture wounds consistent with a snake bite, test results indicated there was no venom within the bite.

Just to be sure, a hospital spokeswoman said the tests would be repeated, however the woman was expected to be released.

The injured woman thanked all involved in the incident for their "wonderful care".

However Mr Mitchell and authorities said her near miss came served as a warning to beach goers about where they sat during snake season.

Smaller beaches saw visitors hugging the dunes area, a known habitat for brown snakes and other reptiles.

Visitors to Sunshine Coast beaches were not the only ones experiencing close encounters of the snakey kind.

A 30 year old man was bitten by what is believed to be a brown snake outside the Sheraton Resort on the Gold Coast yesterday.

The man was rushed to the Gold Coast Hospital from the Marina Parade address at Main Beach about 1.30pm.

He was believed to be in a serious but stable condition.