Three 911 calls failed after California woman was bitten by rattlesnake
A California woman experienced a life-threatening rattlesnake bite while gardening, compounded by a failure of 911 emergency services to connect her calls. Experts note a rising trend in rattlesnake encounters in the state, with 2026 projections showing a significant increase in bite incidents.
Why it matters
It highlights critical infrastructure failures in emergency response and the growing public health risk posed by wildlife in residential areas.
A Stevenson Ranch woman was rushed to the hospital after a rattlesnake that jumped out of her garden bit her. Cutting roses was part of her evening ritual, but it turned out to be nearly fatal.On Saturday evening, 25 July, Linda Martin stepped into her garden as the sun dipped low, ready to prune the roses. “My therapy is cutting roses at the end of the day. I went out and was about to trim a few roses and bring them in,” the woman told CBS. But she never made it past the first bush.“I went and lifted the bush, and that’s when I saw the rattler,” Martin said. With a warning rattle, or hiss, the rattlesnake struck her. The pain was sudden and was followed by a burning sensation. By the time she realised what had happened, her body was already responding.
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