Horror as California eagle scout dies after being bit by a rattlesnake
The relatives of a young man from Orange County are raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding his death after a snake bite left him in a coma for weeks before he passed away.
Julian Hernandez, 25, had been riding his mountain bike on trails near Quail Hill in Irvine, California, on February 1 when he was bitten by a venomous snake. According to reports, Hernandez tried to bike away from the area after the bite, but the effects of the venom quickly took hold before emergency responders arrived and transported him to a hospital.
Doctors placed Hernandez in intensive care after he fell into a coma. He remained hospitalized for more than a month before he died on March 4.
His family says they are still trying to understand exactly what happened during the events that led to his death. Julian, who had earned the rank of Eagle Scout, was alive when he arrived at the hospital, according to statements from his relatives. His father, James Hernandez, wrote on a GoFundMe page created to raise funds for the family that they had trusted the medical professionals caring for their son but ultimately lost him. The page says the family plans to continue seeking the truth about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The fundraising campaign aims to help pay for funeral arrangements and medical bills and has collected more than $20,000 toward a goal of $123,000.
Authorities with the coroner’s office determined that Hernandez died as a result of the venomous snake bite. However, the family has requested an additional independent autopsy.
Medical experts say venom from rattlesnakes can severely impact the body in a short amount of time. Dr. William Woo of Kaiser Permanente explained that the venom can place extreme stress on the body and may lead to organ failure. He said the most effective treatment is antivenom and that patients have a better chance of survival when it is administered as quickly as possible after the bite.
Although rattlesnakes are usually more active during the summer months, specialists say the warmer weather in Orange County has led to an earlier start to the season this year. Hikers in the area report already seeing snakes along local trails. One hiker described encountering a red diamond rattlesnake on a trail, saying the sight of it made him immediately stop.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 7,000 and 8,000 people in the United States are bitten by venomous snakes each year. Despite that number, deaths from such bites are rare, averaging about five annually.
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