Latest news with #MatthewGriffith
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Tennessee Hiker killed by venomous snake bite in state park after picking up the deadly reptile
A hiker was killed from a rare but venomous rattlesnake bite after he made the mistake of picking up the reptile. The unidentified male hiker, who was in Tennessee's Savage Gulf State Park on Aug. 8, picked up what was likely a Timber rattlesnake, which has 'venom potent enough to kill a human,' but whose 'bites are rare,' according to the National Zoo. 'According to witnesses, the hiker had picked the Rattlesnake up resulting in a bite to his hand,' Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The hike was believed to have suffered an allergic reaction, although his actual cause of death has not been made public, Griffith said. Multiple agencies, including fire and rescue workers, EMS members and park rangers, arrived at the park, around a half-mile down the trail, at around 12:30 p.m., according to CBS. Timber rattlesnake bites are rare, according to the National Zoo. Getty Images Multiple agencies, including fire and rescue workers, EMS members and park rangers, reported to the scene. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images CPR was then performed on the hiker, who was taken to a hospital where he 'later succumbed to his injuries.' Griffith warned of the precautionary measures hikers should take when outdoors and in proximity to poisonous animals. '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,' he told the outlet. 'If you encounter a snake, simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention.' It is still unclear why the hiker picked up the animal.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tennessee hiker dies after being bitten by venomous snake, officials say
A man has died after he was bitten by a venomous snake at a Tennessee state park, according to park officials. The victim, who was not identified, was hiking at the Savage Gulf State Park -- about 60 miles northwest of Chattanooga -- when he was bitten on Aug. 8, Grundy County Emergency Management Agency Director Matthew Griffith said in a statement to ABC News. MORE: Florida snake hunters deploy robotic rabbits to capture invasive Burmese pythons The hiker was about half a mile down a trailhead at 55th Avenue in Gruetli-Laager when first responders arrived to the scene shortly after being dispatched, around 12:30 p.m., Griffith said. Paramedics administered CPR before the man was transported to the hospital, where he later died. A witness told first responders that the hiker picked up the snake, which is believed to be a Timber rattlesnake, and was bitten on the hand, Griffith noted. The Timber rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the four venomous snakes found in Tennessee, according to the state's Wildlife Resource Agency. The species can measure between 3 feet and 5 feet long and prefers mature, heavily-wooded forests with rocky hillsides. Timber rattlesnakes tend to be "more docile" than other rattler species and is likely to stay coiled or stretched out and motionless when encountered in the wild, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo. MORE: Amazon delivery driver bitten by venomous rattlesnake, hospitalized in very serious condition The hiker may have had an allergic reaction to the snake bite, but full details of the actual cause of death have not yet been released, Griffith added. "The family of the individual will be in our thoughts and prayers," he said. An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About five of those people die as a result of the bite, but more would die if they did not seek medical care, according to the CDC. While victims of snake bites should always seek medical attention, the CDC recommends treating the bite yourself while waiting for first responders to arrive. MORE: Snake bites on the rise: How to stay safe This includes removing rings, bracelets and watches in case of swelling, as well as washing the bite with soap and water. The CDC then recommends covering the bite with a clean, dry dressing before marking the leading edge of the swelling on the skin and writing the time on it. Do not try to suck the venom out, attempt to make a tourniquet, apply ice or put the bite in water, the CDC advises. "If you encounter a snake simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it," Griffith said. "If bitten seek immediate medical attention." Griffith also recommended that hikers take first aid supplies when recreating outdoors and to be mindful of the dangers that wildlife could pose.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Hiker made fatal mistake when encountering 'largest, most dangerous' timber rattlesnake in Tennessee
In a shocking incident, a man died in Tennessee after getting bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking at a state park, PEOPLE reported citing local authorities. The man picked up a timber rattlesnake that bit him, eventually leading to his death, according to local officials. Emergency personnel responded to the fatal incident around 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday, August 8, a spokesperson for the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency told PEOPLE in a statement. Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency said a Timber rattlesnake is believed to have been involved in the incident last Friday. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency describes Timber rattlesnakes as "the largest, and the most dangerous, of the 4 venomous snakes in Tennessee ." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now ALSO READ: Woman wins 2025 Florida Python Challenge as record amount of snakes removed, takes home massive prize money Man dies after picking up timber rattlesnake "According to witnesses the hiker had picked the Rattlesnake up resulting in a bite to his hand," Griffith said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "It is believed that the hiker had an allergic reaction, however full details of [the] actual cause of death have not been released." The hiker, who has not been publicly identified, was about a half mile down a trail at Savage Gulf State Park when he was bitten. Live Events Officials said that according to witnesses, the man grabbed a rattlesnake, believed to be a timber rattlesnake, which then bit his hand. Timber rattlesnake bites are rare, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institude. ALSO READ: 'My thigh was burning': Deadly shark attacks pregnant wife of ex- NBA player while swimming with her two kids "Though it may strike if necessary, the timber rattlesnake is more docile than other members of its family and is more likely to stay coiled or stretched out, motionless when encountered in the wild," according to a post on the institute's website. "Like other vipers, the timber rattlesnake is venomous with venom potent enough to kill a human. A timber rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency." CPR was initiated and the victim was transported to a hospital, but later died from his injuries, authorities told PEOPLE. An official cause of death has not been released. ALSO READ: US fitness star, bodybuilder Hayley McNeff shared awe-inspiring message before her 'unexpected' death at 37 "The family of the individual will be in our thoughts and prayers," said Grundy County EMA Director Matthew Griffith, who thanked first responders for their efforts to save the man. Griffith went on to encourage people to "be mindful of wildlife and the dangers that some wildlife may pose," during outdoor recreation activities. "If you encounter a snake , simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it," the official added. "If bitten, seek immediate medical attention." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 7,000 to 8,000 people across the country are bitten by venomous snakes annually. About five of those victims die.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Tragedy after hiker was bitten by most venomous snake in Tennessee
A hiker was killed by an venomous snake bite in a Tennessee state park last week, officials said. The male victim, who has not been identified, was discovered at Savage Gulf State Park, about 95 miles from Nashville. He was reportedly found a half-mile down a hiking trail on Friday. Officials said the hiker had picked up the snake, which was identified as a Timber rattlesnake. 'It is believed that the hiker had an allergic reaction, however full details of [the] actual cause of death have not been released,' Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency told Fox News Digital. Paramedics performed CPR at the scene before transporting the hiker to the hospital, where he was later declared dead. A witness told officials that the hiker picked up the snake before the animal bit him in the hand According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Timber rattle snake is 'a large, heavy-bodied snake (36.0 to 60.0 inches long) with a large, triangular head, vertical pupils, and the characteristic rattle at the end of the tail.' They are the largest and most dangerous of the four venomous snake species found in Tennessee. The snake kills its prey 'by a venomous bite, in which the venom is injected by fangs located in the snake's mouth.' In most cases, their bites s are not fatal - less than 1 in 600 bites result in death, according to the US Forest Service. In the US, about 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes every year, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, only about five of them die annually. Griffith with the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency sent prayers to the family and asked people to be vigilant about snakes. '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,' he said. 'If you encounter a snake, simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention.' Timber rattlers, or timber rattlesnakes, are one of approximately 30 venomous species in the US, and can be found from Texas to New England. In May, an Arizona toddler was bitten by a a diamondback rattlesnake and had to be injected with 30 vials of antivenom. One-year-old Cara and her mother were walking around their property near Florence when the mom went to throw away a piece of trash. When she returned, she noticed the young girl 'had four puncture wounds on the top of her foot, in the little window of her little jelly shoe, and behind her, to her left was a snake coiled up.'
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Hiker dies after being bitten by venomous snake in Tennessee state park
A hiker died in Tennessee's Savage Gulf State Park after being bitten by a venomous snake, officials said Thursday. Grundy County Emergency Management Agency personnel were dispatched to a trailhead in the park around 12:30 p.m. local time on August 8, agency director Matthew Griffith told CBS News in a statement. The unidentified hiker was about half a mile down the trail when first responders, including fire and rescue workers, EMS members and park rangers, arrived. Griffith said a witness reported the man had picked up a snake, and the reptile then bit him on the hand. The snake is believed to be a timber rattlesnake, Griffith said. The hiker was transported to an area hospital, Griffith said, and died from his injuries there. Griffith said the hiker appeared to have died from an allergic reaction, but said the hiker's full cause of death has yet to be released. "The family of the individual will be in our thoughts and prayers," Griffith said. "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. If you encounter a snake simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it. If bitten seek immediate medical attention." Timber rattlesnakes are the largest and most dangerous of the four species of venomous snakes in Tennessee, according to the state's Wildlife Resources Agency. Timber rattlesnakes average between 3 and 5 feet long, and have flat heads that are wider than their necks, the agency said. The snakes are gray, yellow or green-white with dark bands and a rust-colored stripe in the middle of their back. The snakes can be found across the state and tend to prefer mature, heavily wooded forests with rocky hillsides and can often be spotted near fallen logs or sunning on rocks. Timber rattlesnakes tend to prey on small rodents, the agency said. The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute said the species is "more docile than other members of its family" and is likely to go motionless if encountered in the wild. Bites from timber rattlesnakes are rare, the zoo said. In most cases, rattlesnake bites are not fatal, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Less than 1 in 600 bites result in death, the agency said. Savage Gulf State Park contains about 60 miles of hiking trails, according to Tennessee State Parks. The park contains scenic wilderness areas, waterfalls and deep gulfs. It is located about 95 miles from Nashville.
