Rattlesnake Bites Crystal Cove Park Worker

NEWPORT BEACH —  A 25-year-old Orange County man who was doing maintenance work at Crystal Cove State Park on Saturday was bit on the finger by a rattlesnake.

The victim, whose name was not released, was treated by paramedics and taken to South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach. Hospital officials said he is in stable condition.

The man--who had been assigned by a court to work at the park--was searching through bushes when he came across the snake and tried to capture it, according to Lt. Ken Kramer of the state parks department.

The snake bit his left index finger as the victim reached toward the reptile, Kramer said.

Park officials captured the snake and planned to release it back into the wild this weekend.

Kramer said rattlesnakes are common in the undeveloped area around the park. Several signs are posted inside the park advising people about how to react if they come across a rattlesnake and warning against trying to touch, frighten or capture such reptiles.