A female delivery driver has been hospitalised in “very serious condition” after she was bitten by a highly venomous rattlesnake while dropping off a package.
The unnamed Amazon employee reportedly drove to a home in Palm City, in the US State of Florida, where she got bitten by an Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake the moment she put the package down on the evening of 18th September.
The venomous snake was coiled up near the front door when it attacked the worker, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said.
Apparently unaware of the dangerous creature’s presence, the woman bent over to make the delivery when she was bitten by the snake in the back of the leg, just above the knee.
Police said she immediately became ill and called emergency services.
Dispatchers were able to pinpoint her exact location through cell phone GPS coordinates and immediately sent help.
The victim was transported to a local hospital where police say she remains in very serious condition.
A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office later told local media that everyone is praying for her recovery, adding: “Together, with the Delivery Service Partner, we’re looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident and continue to make sure that drivers understand they should not complete a delivery if they feel unsafe.”
The Sheriff’s Office reminded residents who live near where rattlesnakes can be found should always make sure they are mindful of their surroundings.
The MCSO added: “If you are scrolling through a phone while walking or at all distracted, you might not see them until it’s too late.
“If you are wearing ear pods and not listening to the outside element, you will not likely hear that warning.”
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is often considered the most dangerous venomous snake in North America.
It is endemic to the south-eastern part of the continent and can mainly be found living in forests, sandhills, swampy areas as well as wet prairies during dry periods.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Simona Kitanovska, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
