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Hillsborough Deputies: Verizon Worker Bitten By Snake, Airlifted

News Channel 8 photo by MICHAEL EGGER

George Lantz is airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment of a rattlesnake bite.

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2009

Updated: 01/02/2009 08:24 pm

TAMPA - A rattlesnake bit a Verizon worker who was filling in a hole in the ground this afternoon, officials said.

The worker, George Lantz, was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital from the scene at Mapledale and Northdale boulevards, said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Vida Morgan and Verizon spokeswoman Sharon Shaffer.

Lantz was admitted to the hospital and was in good condition, said Shaffer and a hospital spokeswoman.

Lantz, a cable splicer, was working in a customer's backyard when the snake emerged from nearby woods, Shaffer said.

Lantz was bitten on the left leg, Shaffer said. The incident was reported at 2:23 p.m., Morgan said.

Co-workers said Lantz told them he was numb up to his knee.

The crew was repairing phone lines a block away from Northdale Fire Station 41, 5909 Mapledale Blvd.

Steve Pontius, a Verizon co-worker, took Lantz to the fire station to get help. Pontius beat the rattlesnake with a shovel and took the rattle as a souvenir for Lantz.

Thomas Atkinson, another Verizon co-worker, called 911.

They said the rattlesnake was about 4 feet long.

George Lantz has twin daughters who are 2 months old.

Reached in the hospital Friday evening, Lantz said he was in a lot of pain and would need to stay in the hospital overnight.

News Channel 8 photojournalist Michael Egger contributed to this report.

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