Sam Ballard was drinking red wine with his friends when he ate the slug View 3 Images Sam was a talented rugby player (Image: Facebook)

A teenager was left paralysed and suffered a horrific death after eating a slug for a dare at a birthday party. ‌

Talented rugby prospect Sam Ballard, from Sydney in Australia , was having drinks at a mate's place when they noticed the slimy creature on the terrace. ‌

The then 19 year old swallowed the slug after being dared by his friends - completely unaware it carried the lethal rat lungworm parasite. ‌

Usually found in rats, the parasite deposits its larvae in the rodents' droppings which can then contaminate snails and slugs.

Sam didn't fall ill straight away, but began experiencing severe leg pain in the days following the 2010

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