OutdoorHub
Hiker Dies After Snake Bite at Tennessee State Park
A tragic incident at Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy County has resulted in the death of a hiker who was bitten by a venomous snake while on the trail Friday afternoon.
Emergency responders were called to the Savage Gulf trailhead off 55th Avenue in Gruetli-Laager around 12:30 p.m. The victim was located approximately half a mile down the trail, where multiple agencies, including park rangers, Grundy EMS, Palmer Fire and Rescue, Gruetli-Laager Fire and Rescue, and Grundy County Emergency Management, responded to the scene.
According to Matt Griffith of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency, the hiker had picked up the snake and was bitten on the hand. First responders immediately began CPR, using both manual techniques and a compression machine, before transporting the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities believe the victim may have had an allergic reaction to the bite. While officials suspect the snake was a timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnakes are also known to inhabit the Savage Gulf area.
“The family of the individual will be in our thoughts and prayers,” Griffith said. “As alway,s it’s strongly recommended to have some kind of first aid supplies while enjoying outdoor recreational activities and be mindful of wildlife and the dangers that some wildlife may pose.”
In a compassionate gesture, a volunteer firefighter went to the victim’s home and transported their spouse to the hospital to be with them during the emergency.
Savage Gulf State Park, which is maintained and operated by Tennessee State Parks as part of the South Cumberland State Park system, spans nearly 16,000 acres across Grundy and Sequatchie counties. The park attracts thousands of visitors annually with its waterfalls, wildflowers, sandstone cliffs, and picturesque gorges, offering opportunities for hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and camping.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of wildlife awareness while enjoying Tennessee’s natural areas. The state is home to four venomous snake species: the timber rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth (water moccasin), and pygmy rattlesnake. All belong to the pit viper family and can be identified by their triangular heads, vertical pupils, and heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils.
The timber rattlesnake, suspected in this incident, is Tennessee’s largest venomous snake and is found throughout much of the state in wooded and rocky hillsides. While generally calm and likely to warn potential threats by rattling, they should never be handled or approached. The pygmy rattlesnake, also present in the Savage Gulf area, is the smallest venomous species in Tennessee but possesses equally potent venom.
The post Hiker Dies After Snake Bite at Tennessee State Park appeared first on OutdoorHub.
