WENATCHEE WORLD (Washington) 21 June 08 Snake bite sends teen to hospital (Jaime Adame)
Bridgeport: A 13-year-old teen was bitten in the hand by a rattlesnake about 7 inches long Thursday night near Bridgeport Elementary School, said a local ambulance chief.
The male teen was taken to Okanogan Douglas Hospital in Brewster, said Rick Halterman, who coordinates the volunteer Bridgeport ambulance service.
Halterman said Friday he thought the teen was "doing fine." He declined to release the teen's name, but said the two puncture wounds did not appear to be especially deep.
He said at least five juveniles were in the area of 1400 Tacoma Ave., a popular hangout spot, when he arrived after being dispatched at 7:22 p.m. to the area.
Some of the juveniles had been handling the snake prior to the bite, Halterman said.
"They tried to pick it up with a stick. When they did, the snake got upset and turned and struck," said Halterman. He said a Douglas County Sheriff's Office deputy at the scene attempted to kill the snake. Undersheriff Don Culp said Friday morning he spoke with the deputy, who confirmed that the snake was killed.
Snake bite sends teen to hospital