Linda Martin, 54, was tending to a rosebush barefoot in the driveway of her Stevenson Ranch home on Saturday evening when she was bitten by a rattlesnake on her left foot. She did not hear the snake rattle before the bite.
Within a minute of the bite, Martin reported tingling sensations in her fingertips, which quickly spread to her jaw, cheeks, and tongue. Approximately a minute later, she experienced leg numbness and was unable to walk. Martin attempted to call 911 three times, but the calls did not connect. Her husband, Bryson Martin, then drove her to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, a 10-minute drive.
At the hospital, Martin was administered antivenom, and the venom's effects subsided. She recovered without lasting issues but expressed gratitude for the hospital staff and her family's swift action. The incident has prompted her to consider a landline phone and to vow to wear boots when gardening in the future.
According to experts, snake bites are reportedly increasing. Lee Cantrell, director at the California Poison Control System, stated that the agency received over 400 calls regarding rattlesnake bites in 2025. In the first six months of 2026, there were 250 such calls, indicating a potential 20% increase in rattlesnake bites compared to the previous year. Nationally, there are typically five to 10 deaths from venomous snake bites annually, with three confirmed fatalities in California so far in 2026.
The Mayo Clinic advises immediate 911 calls if bitten by a snake, moving away from the snake, staying calm, and avoiding movement. They also recommend loosely bandaging the bite area, keeping the affected limb near heart level, and not using a tourniquet or ice. Remembering the snake's appearance can aid in treatment.