Rattlesnake Bite Sends Hiker To Hospital In Serious Condition
FREMONT (CBS SF) -- A San Jose man is in serious condition following a rattlesnake bite Monday afternoon east of Fremont on Mission Peak, a California Highway Patrol flight officer and paramedic said.
The snake bit the man at about 1 p.m. on the top of Mission Peak during a hike with his wife.
A CHP helicopter crew heard a call to emergency personnel, responded and landed on the peak.
The victim was given anti-venom and taken to Washington Hospital for more treatment, CHP Flight Officer and Paramedic Shaun Bouyea said.
Bouyea was the one who administered the anti-venom.
The victim, 47, sat on a rock at the top of the peak, put his hand down and was bitten by the snake, Bouyea said.
When Bouyea got to him, the victim was in serious condition.
The response by emergency personnel was delayed because cellphone service is limited on the peak and a language barrier existed.
Bouyea said the only way to the peak is with a 4-wheel drive or helicopter and the quickest way to the man was by helicopter.
By Monday evening, the man was well enough to talk to investigators.
Within the past week, the East Bay Regional Park District staff has received six reports of rattlesnake sightings, including Monday afternoon's incident.
Over the weekend, a pet dog was bitten by a rattlesnake at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore on the Arroyo side along the trail. A park ranger assisted the owner to his car so the dog could be taken to his vet.
Additional rattlesnake sightings were reported at Castlerock Regional Recreation Area in Walnut Creek in a picnic area, on the Delta DeAnza Regional Trail in Pittsburg as well as in the parking lot outside of EBRPD Police Headquarters at Lake Chabot Regional Park.
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