NEWS

Rattlesnake bites Fort Collins groom during photoshoot

Sarah Jane Kyle
sarahkyle@coloradoan.com

A Fort Collins groom received an unwelcome wedding gift from a rattlesnake while taking photos at Horsetooth Reservoir on Monday evening.

A Fort Collins groom received an unwelcome wedding gift from a rattlesnake while taking photos at Horsetooth Reservoir on Monday evening.

Johnny and Laura Benson's wedding party drove up to Horsetooth Reservoir from Bellvue to make memories and take wedding photos. As the wedding photographer encouraged the group to back up to get the perfect shot, Johnny's friends began joking about rattlesnakes and getting bit. Soon after, it wasn't a joke.

 

After the rest of the bridal party headed to the reception, Johnny, 44, stayed behind to take romantic sunset photos with his new bride. That's when a rattlesnake decided to make good on the bridal party's jokes and bit the groom.

PET CARE:  Helping dogs after a snake bite

Johnny and Laura received help from a Larimer County park ranger and Johnny went to Poudre Valley Hospital for treatment while his wedding guests "freaked out," said longtime friend Nowell Vincent, 41, of Fort Collins. 

Fortunately the groom, who Vincent said is "notorious for these moments in life," was soon laughing it off and was able to return to the reception to celebrate his new marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

What to do after a rattlesnake bite

  • Look for swelling and large, bloody or dark-colored blisters forming in the bite area, which mean the bite was venomous. Some bites are dry, with no venom injected.
  • Call 911 and get to the hospital as soon as possible
  • Keep the patient calm and gently immobilize the bitten limb, if possible, with an improvised splint (not too tight so you don't reduce blood flow).
  • Remove all jewelry, watches and any other constricting clothing near the affected area in case of swelling.
  • Do NOT do any of these things: use a tourniquet, try to suck out the venom or try to catch and kill the snake.

Follow Sarah Jane Kyle on Twitter @sarahjanekyle or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reportersarahjane. Keep up with social issues in Northern Colorado by subscribing to the Life Connected newsletter.

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