A 25-year-old man from California has died after being bitten by a rattlesnake while mountain biking, a rare but tragic outcome from a venomous snake encounter. Julian Hernandez of Costa Mesa was riding at the Quail Hill Trailhead in Irvine on 1 February when he was bitten.
Emergency services rushed Hernandez to hospital, where he fell into a coma and remained in intensive care until his death on 4 March from complications related to the bite, according to local authorities. His family has commissioned a third-party autopsy and described him as a deeply loved son, brother, boyfriend, friend and community member.
Dr William Woo of Kaiser Permanente told local media that rattlesnake venom causes significant stress on the body and can lead to organ failure. He stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical care and receiving antivenom as soon as possible. He advised against outdated remedies such as sucking out venom or applying a tourniquet.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that while 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snake bites occur annually in the country, only a small number result in death. Experts urge anyone bitten to stay calm, keep the heart rate low and the bite area in a neutral position while awaiting medical help.
Hernandez's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral and related expenses. The fundraiser organiser, James Hernandez, wrote: 'This is not about anger. This is about accountability. This is about making sure the next family that walks through those doors doesn’t live our nightmare.'
