A cyclist from New York had a close call while trying to prevent a venomous snake from escaping; he ended up getting bitten, resulting in severely swollen fingers.
The incident occurred while Dangeiger, a Manhattan writer, was riding along the cliffs in Palisade, New Jersey.
In his attempt to handle the situation, he reportedly came too close to the snake, which, as he described, felt like it struck with precision.
“I was just trying to move it off the road, but I think I got a bit too close,” he reflected.
Fortunately, two good Samaritans were there to help him call for emergency services, and he was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center.
By the time he arrived, his fingers had turned a dark, swollen purple color.
After examining the bite, the medical team administered anti-venom to mitigate any potential long-term damage.
Dr. Daria Falkowitz, who oversees the Department of Medical Toxicology at the hospital, explained that while anti-venom prevents further harm, it doesn’t reverse existing damage. “It’s not like an overnight fix,” she noted, adding that it might take a couple of days to see any improvement.
Dangeiger spent two nights in the hospital for observation and was later discharged. However, he was advised that he wouldn’t be able to use his hands for about a week post-incident, as communicated by hospital staff.
While bites from such snakes are relatively uncommon, they do inhabit areas in Bergen County. Dr. Falkowitz mentioned that these snakes usually avoid humans. “Most of the time, they steer clear of people,” she said, adding that it’s particularly concerning when children or pets are involved, as they might provoke a response.
