Blue Ridge Parkway ranger says man’s snakebite report false

A man airlifted from the Blue Ridge Parkway this week falsely reported being bitten by a snake, authorities determined today.

"Based on information developed in our investigation, on the scene and speaking to folks, things are not pointing toward snake envenomization," said Ridge District Ranger Kurt Speers.

Rescuers found a 48-year-old man lying semiconscious in the Dripping Rock area near mile marker 9 on the parkway Tuesday afternoon. A passer-by told authorities the man had been bitten five times by a timber rattler, information later passed on to another man who photographed the victim being airlifted to the University of Virginia.

"It does not look like snakes were involved," Speers said yesterday, adding that he has concluded an investigation.

No charges are expected. Speers would not say what provoked the man to report a snakebite.

Snake experts and local rescuers said snakebites are rare in the area.

"Given the numbers of snakes up here, we have very few incidents of envenomization," Speers said.

A state wildlife biologist said this week that more than two bites by a timber rattler would be unusual. Rattler venom can be lethal. Roughly 7,000 people are bitten by snakes each year, and an average of about five of those cases prove fatal, according to federal statistics.

Tony Gonzalez is a staff writer for The News Virginian of Waynesboro.