SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP — Thursday, August 12 — A Southampton Township man was life flighted to Harrisburg General Hospital Wednesday night after he was bitten by his pet snake.
Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg, said Barry Lee Painter, 38, was at his Walnut Dale Road home where he keeps his Western Gaboon Viper around 7:10 p.m. Police said Painter was intoxicated and playing with the snake when it bit him on the hand. Painter’s friend, Michael E. Keefer, attempted to drive Painter to Chambersburg Hospital but Painter became unconscious at mile marker 20 in Greene Township. Troopers and EMTs responded to the scene, where the helicopter was called into.
Police said a snake catcher was summoned to the home to catch the snake. While the snake was being caught, troopers discovered drugs inside the house which were determined to be Painter’s.