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EAST RIDGE (WRCB) - A man trying to determine whether a copperhead was a male of female died after the snake bit him on Saturday night.

Emergency crews got the call just after 8:00 p.m. and rushed to a home on Blanton Drive. Firefighters and police officers found 26-year-old Wade Westbrook with a bite above the right elbow.

A friend had brought the snake over to Westbrook in a plastic container. At some point Westbrook wanted to investigate the gender of the snake. That's when the snake struck him.

It is unclear how much time passed between the bite and when firefighters arrived. But paramedics with Lifeguard EMS began CPR after their arrival on the scene.

Mr. Westbrook was transported to Erlanger Medical Center where he was pronounced dead by medical staff.

East Ridge Animal Control also responded to the scene to take possession of the snake.

Death from a snake envenomation in North America is extremely rare. In the year 2005, only 6 deaths from snakebites were reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13934395

of all things a copperhead.
No one thinks it will happen to THEM.
Wade didn't...
something to think about... for all of you...
it only takes a second
be careful, be diligent and be safe
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

Jimmy, this whole story is just suspect. I believe there's much more to this story than what is available right now. That wasn't a local copperhead shown last night.

>>Jimmy, this whole story is just suspect. I believe there's much more to this story than what is available right now. That wasn't a local copperhead shown last night.

There's a little more to the story...
Wade went into aniphalactic (spelling?) shock after he was bitten by the copperhead.
He had been bitten by another copperhead about a year ago and at that time didn't receive any medical attention.
That first bite led to the reaction to the second bite.
The photo shown was just a stock photo, it wasn't the snake in question.
Wade was buried today.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/westbrook-998271-copperhead-snake.html

UPDATE: Arrest Made in Connection to Snakebite Death
February 03, 2011 12:38 PM

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has made an arrest in connection with the death of Wade Westbrook after he was bitten by a copperhead snake Jan. 29. Westbrook died from anaphylactic shock following the bite, the same thing which can kill individuals stung by a honeybee.

TWRA wildlife officers have arrested Chuck Hurd for a total of 48 wildlife violations. At a 3 pm news conference in they said he had 12 native poisonous snakes in his possession. He is charged with fours counts per snake. They believe Hurd has been illegally selling snakes since 2005. They say more charges are possible against Hurd, and others could be charged in the case as well. Hurd is scheduled for his first court appearance in Hamilton County General Sessions Court Monday, Feb. 7 at 1:30.

According to his website, Hurd is a snake expert and consultant. It is believed that he provided the snake which killed Westbrook.

There were conflicting stories of why the copperhead was at Westbrook's house in the first place.

Police said were told by Westbrook's wife, Stephanie that Westbrook's friend who only identified himself to police as "Chris," found a copperhead outdoors and brought it into Westbrook's home on Saturday night, asking Westbrook to determine the gender of the snake. It's an explanation that puzzled authorities and experts because copperheads are not known to be outdoors in this time of year. However, "Chris" told Newschannel 9 that explanation was false.

He declined to go on camera because of the ongoing investigation but said the copperhead belonged to Westbrook and that Mrs. Westbrook made up the story because she thought her husband would get in trouble.

Copperheads are illegal to possess in the state of Tennessee.

This story was so transparently false from the getgo, it didn't take an expert to see right through it. Even the TWRA folks knew something wasn't right.........and they ain't "experts" in herpetological knowledge, no disrespect intended. Just a sad event.....for everyone.