17-year-old bit by snake at Townsend Y near Smoky Mountain National Park

Seventeen year-old Laura Jones is home healing after being bitten by a poisionous snake Friday evening.  She spent the weekend at UT Medical Center being treated and observed.

Jones said she was at the Townsend “Y” in the Smokies hanging out with friends.  She said she went to set her shoes down next to a rock and that’s when the snake appeared and struck her index finger.

“It felt like somebody stung me, just like with something really hot.  It didn’t feel like anything,” said Jones.

Jones said what happened after the bite is what scared her.  Her arm swelled up, and her fingers and hand turned blue.

“It felt like my whole arm was just about to like burst open…When it all first happened, I didn’t know if it was poisionous or if I was going to die or what.  So, I was just like freaking out from it all,” said Jones.

She was rushed first to Blount Memorial Hospital and then transferred to UT Medical Center.  Dr. Todd Nickloes treated Jones. He said it will take a few weeks for Jones to completely heal.

“The venom is a protease of types and it initiates destruction of the tissues,” said Dr. Nickloes.

Dr. Nickloes classified Jones’ bite as mild to moderate, but stressed that any snake bite needs immediate medical attention.  He also said snake bites, such as this case, are rare.

Park officials said they usually have less than three snake bites in the park every year.  They urge visitors to stay on marked trails and out of tall grass, and to not stick hands and fingers under rocks or ledges.