A woman thought she was going to die when she was left completely paralysed from head-to-toe after eating shellfish she collected on a beach.
Kim Taia couldn't move for 12 hours after finding the pipis, a usually edible saltwater clam, on Little Waihi Beach in New Zealand.
They contained a toxin known as PSP, or paralytic shellfish poison - and her body suddenly became numb as she was left unable to speak.
Ms Taia's son called for an ambulance but as her condition rapidly worsened even with medical help.
She felt she had been administered an anaesthetic injection and, after being rushed to hospital, she was eventually saved.
After making a full recovery, she wanted to share her story to raise awareness after she was left fearing it would cost her her life.
She told The New Zealand Herald : "My head started to become numb and I was feeling dizzy. I couldn't speak clearly - I was wondering what was wrong I was going dizzy but I then started losing feeling in my hands and arms.
"I was in hospital for a few hours and I was getting weaker and weaker.
"My breathing was slowing down and I thought I was going to die. I couldn't breathe."
Symptoms include numbness and tingling around the mouth and face.
It severe cases, it has lead to death.
Paralytic shellfish poison is a naturally occurring marine biotoxin, produced by some species of microscopic algae.
When shellfish eat algae with the biotoxin, it is possible they retain the toxin.
It affects the nervous system and paralyses muscles and medics gifted the community rapid test kits to help prevent shellfish poisoning.
Cawthron Institute Research Scientist Tim Harwood said: "Little Waihī is a spot traditionally Te Arawa come from the lakes to get their kaimoana.
"We still want these customs to happen and as kaitiaki it's our job to make sure it's safe for others."
Symptoms of PSP usually appear within 10 minutes to three hours of eating the toxic shellfish.
