Lorraine Williamson
A 72-year-old hiker from Bizkaia remains in a serious condition after suffering an adder bite during a walk in the mountains near Arredondo (Cantabria) — but the most critical factor in this case appears to have been the rapid onset of anaphylactic shock, which triggered a helicopter rescue and urgent transfer to Santander.
The incident happened on Monte Colorao, where the man was hiking with two companions. According to emergency reports carried by multiple outlets, he was bitten once on one hand while resting, then bitten again on the other hand when he tried to move the snake away.
Why this incident is getting attention
Snake stories can easily turn into clickbait. This one matters for a different reason.
The emergency response shows how fast a mountain walk can become a life-threatening medical incident when a venomous bite triggers a severe allergic reaction. Reports say the victim was already in anaphylactic shock when rescue teams reached him, which can cause a rapid drop in blood pressure and serious breathing difficulties.
That changes the story from “rare wildlife encounter” to “high-risk medical emergency in difficult terrain”.
What happened on Monte Colorao
According to coverage based on the 112 Cantabria account, the alert was received shortly before midday, and a helicopter-rescue team was sent to the area. The helicopter crew reportedly carried out a low hover manoeuvre, so rescuers and a doctor could descend on foot, stabilise the man and secure him for evacuation.
He was then flown urgently to Seve Ballesteros Airport in Santander, where an advanced life support ambulance (061) took over and transported him to Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla for specialist treatment.
The overlooked detail: location and access matter as much as the bite
One reason cases like this can become serious so quickly is not only the venom itself, but the setting. A bite in an urban area and a bite on a mountain route are very different emergency scenarios.
In this case, the rescue required a coordinated mountain response, airlift logistics and medical stabilisation before hospital transfer. The speed of that chain likely played a major role in getting the patient to definitive care.
What is the latest on the hiker?
As of the latest reports available, the man is still described as having been evacuated in serious condition, with no later public update confirming a change in his hospital status. Several outlets on 24 February repeated the same emergency-service details from the original intervention.
Why this is a useful reminder for walkers in Spain
Adder bites are uncommon, but Spain’s mountain and rural routes do bring walkers into habitats where encounters can happen. The bigger risk, especially for older hikers or anyone with allergy sensitivity, is delayed treatment after a strong reaction.
This Cantabria rescue is a reminder that quick emergency activation — and staying calm enough for companions to call 112 immediately — can make a decisive difference.
A rare bite became a major emergency because of the reaction, not just the reptile
That is the real takeaway from Arredondo: on mountain routes, even a short rest stop can become serious within minutes, and the response window matters.