ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Mystery solved: Melb teen’s bloodied feet were the victim of this terrifying creature

Marine biologists confirm it. - by Eliza Murray
  • 08 Aug 2017
Mystery solved: Melb teen’s bloodied feet were the victim of this terrifying creature
Facebook

When a teenager who went for a short swim at a popular Melbourne beach emerged with grizzly bloodied legs the Internet was shocked and horrified.

Photos of young Sam Kanizay’s feet went viral, especially as the bleeding could not be stopped and the hapless teen was leaving pools of blood in the hospital corridor.  

Dr Chris Brown

Sam’s dad, Jarrod, was determined to find out what caused his son’s injuries, and why they wouldn’t stop bleeding.

He ended up capturing a hefty scoop of creepy crawlies after baiting them with bloody meat and showed them zooming about in a tub of water - sucking the blood from the meat chunks.

Frankly, it was terrifying.

Guardian Australia

Now, Dr. Genefor Walker-Smith, a marine biologics from Museums Victoria, has confirmed what caused Sam’s gruesome injuries. He was dinner for a cluster of tiny scavenging crustaceans known as lysianassidae amphipods - or sea fleas. 

Similar to leeches and lice, Dr Walker-Smith says the creatures use an anti-clotting chemical when they bite to keep the blood flowing. 

In a statement, Dr Walker-Smith says that despite the scary images, fans of Derby Street Beach don’t need to stay out of the water.

‘It was just unlucky. It's possible he disturbed a feeding group but they are generally not out there waiting to attack like piranhas.’

Sam is still recovering in hospital and hasn’t been able to walk since the incident.

‘Whenever he will move, it will open up those wounds ... so I think there’ll be some time, probably, on the couch when he gets home,’ says dad, Jarrod.

This article first published on New Idea.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

I turn people into art!

I turn people into art!

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

{headline}

{headline}

I was paralysed at the beach

I was paralysed at the beach

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

{headline}

{headline}

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Back from the brink!

Back from the brink!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

How chalk found me love!

How chalk found me love!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!