Amazon Driver in Serious Condition After Rattlesnake Bite

Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakePhoto byWikimedia

An Amazon delivery driver finds herself in a "very serious condition" at a Florida hospital after a terrifying encounter with a highly venomous Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake on Tuesday.

The unfortunate incident unfolded at a residence in Palm City, where the rattlesnake was discovered "coiled" near the front door as the Amazon driver arrived to drop off a package.

The Martin County Sheriff's Office conveyed this harrowing story through a social media post on Tuesday.

The snake's sudden strike occurred as the driver approached the door to complete her delivery, targeting her on the back of the leg, just above the knee, according to a statement released by authorities.

The Amazon driver swiftly realized the gravity of the situation and immediately called 911 for assistance. Dispatchers could pinpoint her location using GPS coordinates, facilitating a prompt response. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene to transport the injured driver to the hospital.

As of now, her name and age have not been disclosed.

Our thoughts are with the driver, and we hope for a full recovery after this frightening incident. Together, with the Delivery Service Partner, we're looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident and continue to make sure that drivers understand they should not complete a delivery if they feel unsafe- Branden Baribeau, Amazon spokesperson.

Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes are highly venomous and are a common presence in this area. They are recognizable by their large dark diamonds with brown centers and cream borders along their backs and their distinctive tail rattles.

According to the Florida Museum's herpetology page, these rattlesnakes can be found in every county in Florida. CBS Miami reported that their venom is potent enough to kill up to five people.

In the event of a bite from an Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, the Florida Poison Control Center advises against applying a tourniquet or ice, as these measures can worsen the damage. Similarly, cutting the skin and attempting to suck out the venom is discouraged. Instead, individuals bitten by such snakes are urged to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital