A hiker in Tennessee has died after being bitten by a venomous snake at Savage Gulf State Park, local authorities have said. The victim, who has not been named, was reportedly seen picking up the reptile shortly before the incident.
Rescue workers were called to the scene around 12.30pm last Friday, finding the man just half a mile from a trailhead. Despite life-saving efforts, he was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officials from the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency believe the snake was a timber rattlesnake, a highly venomous species found in the eastern United States. Witnesses told first responders that the hiker had picked up the snake, which bit him on the hand.
“The family of the individual will be in our thoughts and prayers,” said Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County EMA. “As always, it's strongly recommended to have some kind of first aid supplies while enjoying outdoor recreational activities and be mindful of wildlife and the dangers that some wildlife may pose.”
Although the exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed, the man is believed to have suffered a severe allergic reaction. Timber rattlesnakes are described by local authorities as the largest and most dangerous of Tennessee's four venomous snakes. However, fatalities from snakebites are extremely rare, with fewer than one in 600 bites proving fatal.
