TAMPA TRIBUNE (Florida) 25 November 06 Firefighter Rescues Snake-Bitten Hiker (Mike Wells)
Tampa: With a 230-pound, snake-bitten deputy slung over his shoulder, a Hillsborough County firefighter crossed a mile of rough terrain on foot Saturday as he rushed to save the man's life.
Deputy Brandon Parker, 28, was off duty and walking with a friend, Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe Jr., on a nature trail at English Creek Park when a rattlesnake bit his left leg, officials said.
At 12:25 p.m., Tharpe called 911 from a cell phone to report Parker had been bitten by a diamondback rattlesnake, officials said.
The friends were deep inside the park, 2930 State Road 60. Rescuers drove a medical vehicle as far as they could down a dirt road before hopping on an all-terrain vehicle to ride 1½ miles through thick woods, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Lt. James Austin said.
They finished the trek on foot after reaching a wooden bridge too narrow for the four-wheeler. When they reached Parker, he was in shock.
"He was very pale, cold to the touch and sweating," Austin said. "His blood pressure was seriously low."
A helicopter arrived with a dose of anti-venom and Parker was flown to Tampa General Hospital in serious condition.
Austin said he was reminded of his days as a U.S. Army medic as he hefted Parker over his shoulders and carried him through the woods.
The snake, which was 6 to 8 feet long, was killed by a deputy, Austin said.
Firefighter Rescues Snake-Bitten Hiker

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