American Hiker in French Alps Airlifted to Hospital After Falling Unconscious Due to Severe Reaction from Snake Bite

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• A 37-year-old American hiker was hospitalized after being bitten by a snake in the French Alps

• The hiker had a violent reaction after the bite and lost consciousness, and was later taken to the trauma unit of Grenoble Alpes University Hospital.

• Experts suspect he may have been bitten by a venomous asp viper found in the Alps

An American hiker had to be rescued by plane from the French Alps after being bitten by a snake.

The hiker, identified only as 37 years old, was bitten by a red and black snake while he was with two Americans in the hills above Veurey-Voroize, at the northern tip of the Vercors massif. Link France and local news source Le Dauphiné Liberé.

The American hiker’s violent reaction to the bite and his condition’s rapid deterioration prompted his friends to call emergency services. It is unknown what caused the snake bite.

The Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) Alpes mountain rescue unit and a doctor from France’s emergency medical service, SAMU, were dispatched to the scene via a Civil Guard helicopter. Le Dauphiné Liberé.

When they arrived at the scene, they found the hiker unconscious but still breathing and administered emergency aid. The man was then flown to Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, where he was admitted to the trauma unit.

It was unclear what type of snake might have bitten the hiker, but there are many venomous species in the Alps, including asp vipers and vipers. Naturpark Ötztal.

Vercors Natural Park ranger Jean Andrieux, who confirmed the incident to Connexion France, said he believed it could be an asp viper, which can have red and black colors.

“In France, there are more than 10 species of snakes in the Vercors massif. Some are quite common, others are rare. Among the four species found in France, there is one species of viper. This is the asp viper,” Andrieux said, adding that this species is common in the region.

Andrieux noted that asp viper bites are rare and the likelihood of a severe reaction from a bite in humans is low.

“Most bites are what we call ‘dry bites,’ meaning the viper bites but doesn’t inject venom. It’s a defensive response; it gets scared, bites but doesn’t release venom,” he said.

But speaking to Connexion France, Andrieux said some bites contain poison, which can be particularly dangerous if the person has allergies. The park ranger advised caution while hiking.

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“The important thing to know is that a snake will never attack a hiker alone,” Andrieux told the press. “The snake does not attack humans. It bites only in self-defense, for example when touched or accidentally stepped on.”

“If you encounter a snake, the best thing to do is to walk around it from a safe distance and move on,” he added.

PEOPLE has reached out to Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité and Vercors Natural Park for comment on the incident.

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