Tennessee hiker dies after rattlesnake bite in Savage Gulf State Park, prompting wildlife safety warnings. Photos/X.
A hiker in Tennessee has died after being bitten by a rattlesnake he reportedly picked up while on a trail in Savage Gulf State Park.
Tennessee Snake Incident Details
Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency said to Fox News that the incident occurred last Friday and is believed to have involved a timber rattlesnake. According to Griffith, “According to witnesses the hiker had picked the Rattlesnake up resulting in a bite to his hand. It is believed that the hiker had an allergic reaction, however full details of [the] actual cause of death have not been released.”
Authorities responded to the scene, located about half a mile from a trailhead, where multiple agencies began CPR. The victim was transported to a hospital but “later succumbed to his injuries,” Griffith added.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the timber rattlesnake are “the largest, and the most dangerous, of the 4 venomous snakes in Tennessee.”
TWRA describes the species as a “large, heavy-bodied snake with a large, triangular head, vertical pupils, and the characteristic rattle at the end of the tail.”
The colour of rattlesnakes can range from tan and brown to gray and black, and they typically inhabit mature, heavily wooded forests with rocky hillsides, bluffs, or ledges.
According to the US Forest Service, most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing.
The Mayo Clinic advises calling the emergency helpline immediately if someone is bitten by a venomous snake. Individuals involved should take extra care if the bite area changes color, swells, or becomes painful. While waiting for emergency help, it recommends:
Moving far away from the snake, remaining calm after the bite, removing jewelry, watches, or tight clothing before swelling begins, sitting or lying down with the bite in a neutral, comfortable position , and cleaning the bite with soap and water and loosely covering it with a clean, dry bandage.
Also Read: Tennessee Car Crash Sparks Major Takedown of Mexican Cartel Network – Here’s What We Know
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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