Man Tries to Save Snake Not Knowing It Was Venomous. He Spent 2 Nights in the Hospital After Getting Bitten
New York City writer Dan Geiger tried to save a snake he spotted while cycling in New Jersey
Although he didn't know it at the time, the snake was venomous — and ended up biting him
In images shared by Hackensack University Medical Center, where he had to stay for two nights to recover, the writer's finger was captured with a swollen black woundA man tried to help move a snake out of the road and got a nasty bite in the process.
Dan Deiger was cycling in New Jersey's Palisades Cliffs on Wednesday, May 21, when he saw a small snake, according to a Hackensack Memorial Health press release.
Not wanting the serpent to be injured by a bike, the writer — who lives in New York City — decided he was going to help move the creature away. However, unbeknownst to him, it was a venomous Copperhead.
'He first tried nudging the snake with his water bottle, hoping it would slither away,' the hospital wrote. 'When it didn't budge, Dan made a split-second decision he now regrets. He reached out with his hand. In a flash, the snake struck, sinking its fangs into his finger.'
"Dan immediately knew something was wrong. Although he didn't know what type of snake it was, he assumed based on how much he was bleeding, it was venomous," the hospital continued. Fortunately, he was able to flag down two strangers to call 911.
Geiger told local Fox affiliate WNYW that ultimately, his 'hand was just too close to its head."
"It struck me with precision and speed," he added.
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While it's rare for someone to die from a Copperhead snake's venom, a limb can be seriously damaged as a result of the bite, according to Hackensack Memorial Health.
'It contains toxins that break down tissue, causing intense pain, swelling, blistering, and even tissue death (necrosis),' they explained. The venom also disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and further complications. The longer the venom circulates, the more widespread the damage.'
In pictures shared by Hackensack Memorial Health, the snake bite victim's index finger featured a swollen, black wound.
According to the hospital, Geiger stayed there for two nights before being discharged — but he still 'won't be using his hand for another week or so until the residual swelling and bruising subsides."
'He still loves the Palisades and its wildlife, but he's learned a valuable lesson: admire from a distance," the hospital wrote. "He'll think twice before intervening again, no matter how good his intentions."
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