On April 28, a stoical, experienced 60 year old hunter, was on a three day trip deerstalking with two friends in the Kaweka Ranges on the southern side of the remote Mangatainoka River. They were to be collected by helicopter at a prearranged time, and carried no means of emergency communication.
At around 9am while descending into a small clearing, he slipped on wet grass, and fell into a tree nettle known as ongaonga, Urtica ferox. He was scratched about the legs, face and hands. Within the first 1520 minutes he began to experience severe abdominal cramps, and thereafter a terrible burning sensation in his feet, and visual blurring.
By the time he reached camp at 10.30am, he was weak, confused and pale, sweating profusely, salivating, and beginning to struggle for breath. His companions report his ability to hold a cup was grossly impaired by shaking. He was writhing in agony from cramps. He became hypothermic despite multiple layers of woollen clothing, a mountain-down sleeping bag, and fires being lit in an attempt to warm him. He was unable to speak clearly, but denied hallucinations or loss of consciousness. He did not sleep until midnight, when he began to feel a little warmer.
Before dawn he attempted to leave the tent to pass urine, but was unable to stand or control his lower limbs, falling repeatedly. His companions came to his rescue, and replaced him in his bag. He was now freezing cold after exposure to the -5° C temperatures, and again experienced extreme difficulty breathing.
Twenty-four hours after the encounter with Urtica ferox he was able to walk stifflegged around the clearing with the assistance of his friends. The helicopter arrived in the afternoon and he returned home late that evening.
On presentation the next day, his gait remained stiff, and he complained of residual tingling in fingers and tongue, muscular stiffness and soreness in his shoulders and limbs, and a foul taste in association with some flavours. He was orientated and appropriate in behaviour, and able to give a good account of events. Examination revealed increased muscle tone in lower limbs, and grip strength bilaterally reduced, but little else of note.
