California Cyclist Dies After Being Bitten By Venomous Rattlesnake While On Mountain Ride

A 25‑year‑old California man has died aft being bitten by a rattlesnake while upland biking, marking a uncommon and tragic result from an brushwood pinch venomous wildlife.

The incident occurred connected February 1 astir 11 a.m. astatine nan Quail Hill Trailhead successful Irvine, a celebrated outdoor spot adjacent nan Quail Hill Community Center, according to section rule enforcement.

Julian Hernandez of Costa Mesa was riding connected nan way erstwhile he was bitten by nan snake. Authorities rushed him to nan hospital, wherever he fell into a coma and remained successful intensive attraction until his decease connected March 4, from injuries tied to nan bite, authorities said.

His family remembered him arsenic a profoundly loved son, brother, boyfriend, friend and personnel of his community. They person besides initiated a third‑party autopsy, they told CBS News.

"Our attraction correct now is supporting his family done an unimaginable loss," his family told nan outlet.

While astir 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snake bites hap annually successful nan U.S., only a fistful consequence successful death, nan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Experts accent nan value of seeking contiguous aesculapian attraction aft a bite, arsenic venom tin origin terrible and perchance fatal complications if not treated promptly.

“A snake bite pinch venom from a rattlesnake causes important accent connected nan body,” Dr. William Woo pinch Kaiser Permanente told KTLA. “It tin origin organ shutdown. It tin beryllium really terrible and we cognize that nan effective curen is antivenom and nan sooner we tin administer, nan amended disconnected nan patients are. It tin origin a full big of problems successful nan body.”

Woo besides advised that anyone bitten by a rattlesnake debar outdated aliases vulnerable remedies, specified arsenic trying to suck retired nan venom aliases applying a tourniquet, which tin worsen nan injury.

“Try to enactment calm, support nan bosom complaint bully and slow and support nan area of nan wound successful a neutral, relaxed position is nan champion point you tin do,” he said. “Do not hold that infirmary care. That is of nan utmost importance.”

Hernandez’s family besides launched a GoFundMe to screen ceremonial and related expenses.

“He was beardown and healthy. He was live erstwhile he sewage to nan hospital. His full family was there, advocating for him each measurement of nan way. Julian did not survive,” James Hernandez, nan fundraiser’s organizer, wrote.

“We are a family that handed our boy complete to group we trusted and ne'er sewage him back. We person questions that merit answers, and getting those answers requires a ineligible fight. These costs will thief screen nan costs of infirmary fees, memorial service, and immoderate further financial strain that arises from this ongoing situation. We will prosecute nan truth astir what happened to Julian and to guidelines up for him.

“This is not astir anger. This is astir accountability. This is astir making judge nan adjacent family that walks done those doors doesn’t unrecorded our nightmare,” James Hernandez said.