Man dies after Timber Rattlesnake he picked up bit his hand

A man, whose identity was not initially released, died in Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy County in Tennessee after he picked up snake believed to be a Timber Rattlesnake that bit his hand on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Witnesses who spoke to EMS personnel said they saw the hiker pick up the snake, which bit him on the hand, Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County EMA told ABC News Channel 9.

Grundy County is located just east of I-24 between Chattanooga and Nashville -- closer to Chattanooga.

Snake bite claims hiker's life on Tennessee state park trail - News Channel 9 ABC/WTVC ChattanoogaSnake bite claims hiker's life on Tennessee state park trail

Savage Gulf State Park - Google Maps (Satellite)

Savage Gulf State Park - Google Maps (Map)

Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus - Wikipedia
Venom is extremely potent, and can be both hemorrhagic and neurotoxic venom depending on population and location. The snake's range is as far north as West Central Wisconsin, and New York and New Hampshire.