A college baseball player and graduate student has survived a rattlesnake bite in Southern California after exhausting one hospital's supply of antivenom and being rushed by ambulance to another facility.
Jake Entrup, 22, received a total of 34 doses of antivenom following the incident on July 18, which is approximately twice the typical dosage, according to CBS News Los Angeles. Entrup described the pain as "agonizing" in an interview with CBS LA.
Entrup and his mother were hiking with their two dogs on the Wilderness Park trails near Higginbotham Park when the bite occurred. "The next thing I know, I got bit," Entrup told KTLA. "I looked down and I saw the fang marks. I did turn around. I saw the snake. It kind of hissed at me and slithered off into the bush."
He reported experiencing the venom's effects almost immediately, stating that within two minutes, he could not see his hand in front of his face. A passing nurse was able to help keep him calm, which is believed to have slowed the venom's spread.
Entrup was airlifted to Pomona Valley Trauma Center, where he received 20 doses of antivenom. When the hospital's supply began to dwindle, he was transported by ambulance to LA County General for an additional 14 doses.
Although Entrup has been seen using crutches, his recovery is expected to be lengthy. A GoFundMe page established for Entrup states that he was preparing to play college baseball and start graduate school this fall. He had reportedly been working double shifts to cover tuition costs and now faces a loss of wages during his recovery period.
The fundraising page aims to alleviate financial stress to allow Entrup to focus on healing, with any donation or share of the fundraiser being appreciated by Entrup and his family.