Daniel Hohs, an Ironman athlete, was killed by a rattlesnake that bit him on a trail in the Colorado mountains.
Emergency crews responded to a report of a rattlesnake bite about 1½ miles from the Mount Galbraith trailhead near Golden where they found Hohs, 31, about 12:40 p.m. on Saturday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office told the Denver Post.
Hohs was transported to St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood where he was pronounced dead, the sheriff's office stated.
KDVR-TV reported that Mount Galbraith Park is popular location for hikers because of its challenging terrain and views of Golden, but the rattlesnake bite was a reminder of the dangers the area poses as well.
KKTV stated that rattlesnakes in the park are well known enough to the point that there are posted signs there warning hikers of their presence.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials told KKTV that there are two types of rattlesnakes found in Colorado – the midget-faded rattlesnake living in the western-central part of the state and the prairie rattlesnake found across the state at elevations below 9,600 feet.
State park and wildlife reptile specialist Tina Jackson told the television station that most bites come from people trying to handle a rattlesnake, and that the best way to avoid being bitten is by giving it plenty of space.
"If you run into a snake, as with any wildlife, give it room," Jackson said, according to KKTV. "Don't try to pick it up. Don't try to make it move. Don't try to kill it. In most cases, the snake is not going to bother you."
Experts suggest for people who have been bitten to remain calm and limit movement to prevent the spread of venom and call 911, KKTV reported.
According to the University of Florida's Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, of the 7,000 to 8,000 people who are bitten by snakes each year, five to six will end up dead.
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