Overview

• On June 2, Shah was bitten on the ankle by a timber rattlesnake along Lost Cove Creek more than two miles from the nearest road.
• A team including the N.C. National Guard, Charlotte Fire Department and Helo-Aquatic Search & Rescue hoisted him to a Black Hawk helicopter after a two-hour wait.
• He was transported to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee, where doctors administered antivenom over three days to counter venom-induced internal bleeding risks.
• Shah snapped a photo of the snake to assist medical staff in identifying the venom, while his friend Kevin Foley stayed by his side and called 911 despite intermittent cell service.
• The teen’s ordeal highlights the hazards of venturing off trail without reliable communication and the critical role of multi-agency coordination in wilderness emergencies.