A 17-year-old’s fishing expedition turned into a life-or-death struggle when a rattlesnake struck in a remote area of Pisgah National Forest, leaving him stranded miles from the nearest road with deadly venom coursing through his veins.
Key Takeaways
- Zain Shah, 17, was bitten by a timber rattlesnake while on a fishing trip in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, two miles from the nearest road
- After a two-hour wait for rescuers, Zain was airlifted via National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee
- Doctors administered 12 vials of antivenom over three days after bloodwork showed risk of uncontrolled bleeding
- Multiple agencies coordinated the complex rescue, including North Carolina Emergency Management and the Charlotte Fire Department
- Following his recovery, Zain vowed to never venture into the wilderness alone again
Deadly Encounter in the Wilderness
What began as a celebratory end-of-high-school fishing trip quickly became a nightmare for Zain Shah when he encountered one of America’s most dangerous reptiles in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest. The 17-year-old was enjoying an afternoon of fishing on June 5 near Lost Cove Creek when the unthinkable happened. The location, approximately two miles from the nearest accessible road, created an immediate life-threatening emergency that would require extraordinary measures to save the teenager’s life. A timber rattlesnake, a species that can grow up to seven feet long and possesses potent hemotoxic venom, struck without warning.
“At the point where we were about to turn back, I stepped over a log and as my foot landed, I felt a prick. It was painless. I looked down and see a rattlesnake sitting there. I think: ‘No way that just happened.’ But I rolled down my sock and see two red dots and blood coming out. I knew it was potentially deadly,” Zain Shah said.
Race Against Time
The remote location presented immediate challenges for the injured teenager. Zain’s own phone had no cellular service, forcing him to rely on his friend’s device to contact emergency services. The call triggered a massive multi-agency response, but rescuers faced significant obstacles in reaching the victim due to the difficult terrain. Zain and his friend would endure a tense two-hour wait as first responders navigated the challenging landscape to reach them. During this critical time, the venom began its work, causing Zain to experience tingling sensations and pins and needles—early signs of the venom’s impact on his nervous system.
Heroic Rescue Operation
The emergency response mobilized impressive resources to save the teenager’s life. North Carolina Emergency Management, NCHART, and the Charlotte Fire Department all participated in the complex rescue operation. In a testament to the seriousness of the situation, the National Guard dispatched a Black Hawk helicopter to extract Zain from the wilderness. After rescuers finally reached him, they secured him for air transport to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee, where specialized treatment for venomous snakebites was available. The coordinated effort showcased America’s emergency response capabilities when citizens face life-threatening emergencies in remote locations.
“What started as a fun end-of-high-school fishing trip for my son and his buddy in the western North Carolina mountains turned deadly when he was bitten by a timber rattlesnake deep in the woods,” Imran Shah, Zain’s father, said.
Critical Medical Treatment
At Johnson City Medical Center, medical professionals immediately assessed Zain’s condition. Although they initially suspected a “dry bite”—where a snake strikes but injects minimal venom—blood tests revealed a more serious situation. The laboratory analysis indicated Zain was at risk for uncontrolled bleeding, a characteristic effect of rattlesnake venom, which destroys red blood cells and prevents normal clotting. Over the course of three days, doctors administered 12 vials of antivenom to counteract the poison’s effects. The intensive treatment regimen succeeded in neutralizing the venom, allowing Zain to recover and eventually return home.
Gratitude and Life Lessons
Now recovering at home, Zain is expected to graduate from Chapel Hill High School on June 14, a milestone that seemed in jeopardy during his medical crisis. The experience has left him with profound gratitude for the many individuals who contributed to saving his life. From the emergency dispatchers who coordinated the response to the helicopter crew that airlifted him to safety, Zain acknowledges that his survival depended on America’s dedicated first responders. The harrowing experience has also taught him valuable lessons about wilderness safety that he plans to carry forward.
“All of them saved my life. I wouldn’t be here without the help of so many people. I have ventured alone into the mountains before, but I’ll never do that again. The buddy system only from now on, but this will not keep me from going back out there,” Zain Shah said.
