The woman, who was named as Gabriela Bautista by local outlets, was bitten on March 14
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A 46-year-old woman, named by local outlets as Gabriela Bautista, was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking on March 14
- She was airlifted to the hospital but died five days later from venom toxicity, according to reports
- Julian Hernandez also died after being bitten while riding his mountain bike on the Quail Hill Trailhead, just 90 miles away
A 46-year-old has died after she was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking at Wildwood Regional Park in Ventura County, California.
The woman, who was named as Gabriela Bautista by local outlets KTLA, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News LA, was reportedly bitten as she walked along the path on March 14, just before noon, local time.
The Moorpark resident was then airlifted to the hospital for treatment, but died 5 days later on March 19, Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) told NBC 4 and CBS LA.
She died as a result of rattlesnake venom toxicity, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office told KTLA.
Credit: Getty
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Her death comes as a teenage girl was rescued after being bitten by a rattlesnake in the same region — Thousand Oaks, California.
On Friday, March 20, the teen fell off her bike and suffered a snakebite near the Wendy Drive trailhead around 7:30 p.m local time, per KTLA.
Firefighters were able to hike up the trail and rescue her, according to The Los Angeles Times, which then reported that she was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
“They were able to…access to the patient by hiking in, assess the patient and help rescue and extricate that patient back to a safe area where we had the ambulance standing by,” Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd told KTLA.
Last month, Julian Hernandez was riding his mountain bike on the Quail Hill Trailhead on February 1 at around 11 a.m. local time when he was bitten, according to the outlet.
The Eagle Scout attempted to bike to safety, but was then overcome by the effects of the venom, NBC affiliate KNBC-TV reported.
Authorities who responded to the scene transferred him to the hospital, where he fell into a coma and was placed in the ICU. He then died on March 4.
The VCFD has received 4 reports of rattlesnake bites since March 14, Dowd told the Los Angeles Times. They report that the county recorded 9 total bites in 2025.
Rattlesnakes can be identified by their triangular-shaped head, distinctive markings and spotted body, according to UCI Health.
Dr. Jeffrey Suchard, a UCI Health emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, said it is important to get to the hospital “immediately” if you are bitten by a venomous reptile.
“There is no intervention at the scene of a venomous snakebite that is recommended,” said Suchard.
“Your goal is to get to a hospital as soon as possible to be assessed for possible antivenom treatment.”
Ventura County Fire Department and County Medical Examiner’s Office were contacted for further information by PEOPLE, but did not immediately respond.
Read the full article here
