A British lawyer, Jonathon Hogg, is determined to file legal action versus Qatar Airways after allegedly suffering from spider bite while on board his flight from Doha to South Africa. The 40-year-old victim almost lost a leg due to the flesh-eating spider bite that caused his leg to 'burst open'.

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"I was struggling to get comfortable during the journey and crossed my legs to get into a better position when I felt a small, sharp pain radiating in my left leg," Hogg told Express.co.uk. "Then, I turned on the light and clearly saw a spider running across the floor before hearing two stewardesses screaming 'Spider!', but I wasn't sure if I had been bitten as it really wasn't very painful," he added.

Doctors confirmed that the poisonous brown recluse spider, which he claimed bit him, could have caused his death. For just a few hours, Hogg's leg got swollen and turned black. Worse, his wound bursted open upon reaching the hospital.

The doctors hurried him for surgical procedure and removed a large portion of his leg that was affected by the spider venom -- such spider toxin had eaten part of his flesh.

According to The Guardian report, the barrister from Camden, London stayed in the hospital for a month where he had gone through three surgeries and skin implant procedures. Yet, he has to still undergo some medications and treatments after three months. "The pain was like nothing I've been through in my life. By the time I got to hospital my leg was bursting open," he narrated.

Hogg was terrified on this experience and said he is now afraid of flying and he worries that he may not be able to play his favorite sports again. However, he is still thankful that he still saved his leg.

It seemed to him that Qatar Airways refused to accept liability as the airline company did not attempt to settle the issue. Thus, he expressed his determination to seek justice and compel the airline to take its responsibility. 

"Airlines have a responsibility to protect passengers from dangerous potential pests by properly fumigating all planes. We will now be investigating Mr Hogg's claim to determine if there has been any wrongdoing by the airline," said Hogg's lawyer, Richard Duxbury.

Qatar Airways stated that it has yet to receive any advice regarding any legal proceedings about Hogg's case. Thus, they cannot make further comments on this issue.

TagsJonathon Hoggs, Qatar Airways, flesh-eating spider, spider attack, recluse spider