Rattlesnake Attack Viral Video: California Woman Rushed to Hospital After Venomous Snake Strikes While Gardening

A California woman was rushed to hospital after a rattlesnake hiding in her rose bushes bit her foot while she was gardening, with the frightening incident captured on video. Linda Martin, a resident of Stevenson Ranch in Los Angeles County's Santa Clarita Valley, received emergency treatment after the venomous snake struck without warning, prompting experts to remind the public about rattlesnake safety during the warmer months.

Martin was tending to her roses barefoot and with bare legs on Saturday evening when the snake emerged from the bushes and bit her toes. She said she never heard the rattlesnake's distinctive warning sound before it attacked. Coyote Attack in California: 4-Year-Old Boy Attacked by Animal in US Driveway, Shocking Video Surfaces.

Rattlesnake Attack Video

Snake Struck Without Warning

"My therapy is cutting roses at the end of the day," resident Linda Martin said. "I went out and was about to trim a few roses and bring them in." Before Martin could even make one snip on Saturday night, she was racing for her life. "I went and lifted the bush, and that's when I saw the rattler," Martin said.

Martin said there was no warning, not even a rattling sound, just sudden pain and a burning sensation. "Within 30 to 45 seconds, I started feeling tingling in my fingertips," Martin said. "It moved into my jaw, my cheeks, my tongue." 3-Year-Old Boy Dies After Venomous Snake Bite in Chandauli, CCTV Video Surfaces.

Race to the Hospital

About a minute after the bite, Martin collapsed inside her Stevenson Ranch home while attempting to call emergency services. However, repeated attempts to contact 911 failed because of poor mobile phone reception.

"Dialed a second time, it didn't even connect," she said. "Dialed a third time, and my husband just said, 'Get in the car.'" The couple reached Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital's emergency department within 10 minutes, where Martin received antivenom treatment.

Reflecting on the incident, Martin said her husband's presence may have been lifesaving. "Had my husband not been home, and I was here alone, I don't know what would have happened," Martin said.

She also said the experience had changed how she would approach gardening in the future. "I was laughing. Next time in the garden, I'm going to wear a hazmat suit, because I'm afraid to go," she said. "But, I certainly won't go gardening without wearing boots."

Martin added that the incident highlighted the need for better mobile phone coverage in her community and convinced her to consider getting a landline again.

California Seeing Rise in Rattlesnake Bites

Health officials say Martin's experience reflects a broader increase in rattlesnake encounters across California. "Last year, we had a little over 400 calls about rattlesnake bites," said Lee Cantrell, a director at the California Poison Control System. "And so far, in the first six months of 2026, we've had 250 calls."

Cantrell said California is on track to record about 20% more rattlesnake bite reports than last year. He added that venomous snakes cause between five and 10 deaths nationwide each year. California has already recorded three deaths during the first six months of 2026.

"This year, we had kind of a warm early spring, and so that could have fostered rattlesnakes coming out of hibernation earlier," Cantrell said.

According to Cantrell, rattlesnakes have poor eyesight and often strike when they detect nearby body heat, sometimes mistaking a person's foot or toe for prey.

What Experts Say to do After a Rattlesnake Bite

Medical experts advise anyone bitten by a rattlesnake to remain as calm as possible, move away from the snake and minimise movement to slow the spread of venom.

They also warn against applying a tourniquet or a heat pad to the wound, stressing that victims should seek hospital treatment immediately so antivenom can be administered if necessary.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 29, 2026 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).