A man was flown to Harrisburg General Hospital after being bitten by his pet snake, a venomous Western Gaboon Viper.
On Wednesday at 7:10 p.m., Barry Lee Painter, 38, of Chambersburg was at 46 Walnut Dale Road in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, where he keeps his snake. He was intoxicated and playing with it when it bit him on the hand.
Painter’s friend, Michael E. Keefer, drove Painter to Chambersburg Hospital, but before they got there, Painter lost consciousness at mile marker 20 in Greene Township.
Troopers and EMTs responded to the scene and Painter was flown to Harrisburg.
A snake catcher took possession of the snake. While getting the snake, state police at Chambersburg found drugs in the house belonging to Painter.