Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Tarantula Crossing Causes Collision in Death Valley National Park

Swiss tourists' abrupt attempt to avoid tarantula on Californian road leads to crash into their vehicle by a 24-year-old Canadian motorcyclist; Tarantula's mating season prompts public warning about driving cautiously in national park areas.

• A collision was caused by a tarantula crossing the road in Death Valley National Park, resulting in a motorcyclist being hospitalized. Two tourists braked abruptly to avoid killing the spider, causing a 24-year old Canadian motorcyclist to crash into the rented camper van.
• The motorcyclist was taken to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, Nevada for treatment, although his condition was not disclosed. The tarantula, however, walked away unscathed.
• National Park Service Superintendent Mike Reynolds urged the public to drive carefully, especially on the park's gravel patches and steep hills, as wildlife of all sizes are present.
• The mating season of tarantulas is in the autumn, and this is when they are most commonly seen crossing roads in search of a mate. Despite causing this accident, the park service stressed that tarantulas are not to be feared as their bite is similar to a bee sting and is not deadly to humans.
• This isn't the first incident of its kind in America's national parks. There has been a series of mishaps involving tourists and animals this year, including injuries from a bison and cougar attack in Yellowstone and Olympic National Parks, respectively.

3 Articles

Sky News NBC News CNN