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Snake Bites Verizon Worker

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI

esilvestrini@tampatrib.com

Published: January 3, 2009

TAMPA - A rattlesnake bit a Verizon worker who was filling in a hole in the ground Friday 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 in good condition, Shaffer and a hospital spokeswoman said.

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

Reached in the hospital Friday evening, Lantz said he was in a lot of pain.

News Channel 8 photojournalist Michael Egger and News Channel 8 reporter Samara Sodos contributed to this report.

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