California man, 25, dies after being bitten by rattlesnake while biking |
California man, 25, dies after being bitten by rattlesnake while biking
(KTLA) – A man from California’s Orange County has died after he was bitten by a rattlesnake while mountain biking in Irvine.
Julian Hernandez, 25, of Costa Mesa, was biking at Quail Hill Trailhead on Feb. 1 around 11 a.m. when he was bitten. Authorities responded to the scene and transported Hernandez to a hospital, where he fell into a coma and remained in an intensive care unit.
On March 4, his family confirmed that he passed away.
Dr. William Woo with Kaiser Permanente told Nexstar’s KTLA that venom from a snake bite can spread fast.
“A snake bite with venom from a rattlesnake causes significant stress on the body,” he explained. “It can cause organ shutdown. I mean, these things can be really severe. And we know that the effective treatment is antivenom in these cases, and the sooner we can administer, the better off the patients are. But it can cause a whole host of problems to the body.”
Locals who frequent the Quail Hill trails were concerned after hearing of Hernandez’s death. Many said snakes and other wildlife can often be spotted in the area.
“I try to be cautious and alert, I don’t run with headphones,” runner Kevin Ly tells KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “Luckily, there are some other bikers and runners who will warn you if they see it.”
“It’s a bit scary for me, since I’m a new mountain biker and I have to be cautious,” said Iryna Jones.
If bitten by a rattlesnake, Woo said it’s imperative to seek emergency help as soon as possible, and to avoid attempting to suck the venom out or creating a tourniquet.
“Try to stay calm, keep the heart rate nice and slow, as much as possible,” Woo said, while also advising victims to keep the area of the bite in a “neutral, relaxed position.”
“Do not delay that hospital care. That is of the utmost importance,” he added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from venomous snake bites are rare. Despite there being a reported 7,000 to 8,000 people bitten a year in the U.S., only around five people die annually.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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