Smith Rock climber bitten by apparent rattlesnake, flown to Bend hospital for anti-venom treatment

(Update: Park manager comment)

TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Smith Rock climber was bitten, apparently by a rattlesnake, at the state park Friday afternoon, prompting a quick rescue effort and flight to St. Charles Bend for anti-venom treatment, a Redmond Fire official said.

Redmond Fire & Rescue was dispatched around 12:35 p.m. to the reported medical emergency above the Burma Road at the popular climbing area, Battalion Chief Steve Fiero said.

He said a group of climbers were hiking up to a climbing route when one was bitten. One of the other climbers in the group called to report what had happened.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue also was contacted to assist, Fiero said, but was called off when the fire/paramedics were able to use the department’s “light rescue” pickup truck to reach the patient.

He could not provide further description of the person involved due to federal patient privacy regulations.

The crew provided initial treatment and brought the hiker to an open field adjacent to the park, from where a Life Flight helicopter landed to fly the patient to St. Charles-Bend for treatment with life-saving anti-venom, Fiero said.

It was presumed to be a rattlesnake, based on the description given and the nature of the bite wound, Fiero said, adding that such incidents are “very rare” at Smith Rock.

Park Manager Matt Davey agreed, calling it "very rare to be bitten by a rattlesnake at Smith Rock."

In fact, he said, "This would only be the second reported bite to a visitor that I have record of since 2012 at the park, and the other one was a 'dry' bite, where the rattlesnake did not inject venom.

"We are extremely grateful for the quick response of Redmond Fire and Rescue to the situation, and hope for the best recovery for (the climber)," Davey said.