Ga. man survives rattlesnake bite with son's help

WALESKA, Ga. — A hunter is recovering after being bitten by a rattlesnake, and his 9-year-old son is credited with shooting the snake and keeping his wounded father alert until rescuers could reach their location on a mountain.

Authorities say 43-year-old Shane Newton was recovering at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital after being bitten in the leg Sunday near Waleska.

WSB-TV reports (http://bit.ly/T5w8wD) that Newton told dispatchers he was shaking badly. His health deteriorated during the nearly hour-long call for help. His son Grant followed the dispatcher's directions to keep his dad alert and talking.

Newton told dispatchers he shot the snake, but later his son said the rattler was moving again and coming toward them. The boy told dispatchers he would shoot the snake again, and reported that he thinks those shots finally killed it.

___

Information from: WSB-TV, http://www.wsbtv.com/index.html