On August 18, 2013, at approximately 6:05 P.M., Lefthand Fire Department, AMR Ambulance, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Northern Colorado Medivac, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, and Boulder County Parks and Open Space, responded to a call of a bicyclist bit by a rattlesnake at Heil Valley Ranch Open Space.  The victim, 28 year old Mary Ellen Myers of Broomfield, was biking with two friends when they stopped and walked to an overlook on the Ponderosa Loop Trail.  Myers was walking back to her bike when she was bitten on the ankle by a rattlesnake that was hidden under some rocks.

rattlesnake_striking

 

Myers’ friends were able to call 911 from their cell phones.  Lefthand Fire personnel located them about 4 miles up the trail from the trailhead on Geer Canyon, about 30 yards from an emergency access road.  The Northern Colorado Medivac helicopter responded but was not needed. AMR ambulance transported Myers to Boulder Community Hospital.  Her injury is not believed to be life threatening.

 

Rattlesnakes are fairly common in Boulder County Parks and Open Space, but this is the first known rattlesnake bite at Heil Valley Ranch.
Deputy Cathy Bryarly
Case Number: 13-4496
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