Near-Death Experience During Camping Trip

What an incredible story!

In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, two high school students recently had a harrowing experience that began as a simple camping trip. The students, Kevin Foley, 18, and Zain Shah, 17, both seniors at Chapel Hill High School, were fishing in the Pisgah National Forest when their outing took a dangerous turn.

While they were walking along the riverbank to better position themselves for fly fishing, Shah felt a prick above his ankle. Upon looking down, he discovered a timber rattlesnake hiding under a log they had just passed, and he noticed a bite mark on his leg.

Suddenly, the situation became life-threatening. Recognizing the seriousness of the incident, Shah took a picture of the snake to help first responders identify the type of antivenom needed. They were two miles away from their car, in an area with limited cell service, which made the situation even more complicated.

Fortunately, Foley managed to reach 911, and an operator stayed on the line with them for about two hours. Following the operator’s advice, Foley wrapped a towel around Shah’s bite while they waited for help. Eventually, the North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART) arrived and airlifted Shah out of the woods using a Blackhawk helicopter. This specialized unit includes members of the North Carolina National Guard.

Once at a hospital in Tennessee, Shah received several doses of antivenom and remained there for three days. He has since returned home to North Carolina and is continuing to have precautionary blood tests done.

“I feel just so grateful to be alive, honestly,” Shah shared.

This is surely a story they will recount for years to come!