A frightening situation recently took place on Survivor 49, when contestant Jake Latimer suffered a venomous snake bite. A medical team evacuated Latimer to get treated. Following the scary situation, host Jeff Probst discussed the incident on the show and in interviews with outlets. The latest season of the reality survival series is set on the Fiji Islands.
Survivor 49’s Jake Latimer was medically evacuated after venomous snake bite
On Day 6 of Survivor 49, Jake Latimer was evacuated from the Kele tribe after getting bitten on the foot by a black-and-white, venomous Sea krait. He was subsequently treated by medical staff led by Dr. Barry, who filled in for veteran medical director Dr. Joe Rowles.
Fortunately for Latimer, doctors discovered he only got a dry bite, a warning bite that didn’t produce venom. However, due to Survivor’s harsh environment and the physical and mental stress Jake — an expectant father — experienced, he wasn’t cleared to return to the game.
Upon being released, Jake said via cameras that he had participated in the show for himself, his father, and his child. He also said he wanted to bring home money. “For something like this to pull me out of the game, it’s just not my fault,” he added (via The Wrap). “Cause I was doing good and I know I could win this show. But, doctor’s orders, man. It’s been an absolute pleasure, Mr. Probst.”
Fans expressed their desire to see Latimer return for Survivor 50 in the comments section of his recent Instagram post.
Jeff Probst addresses Survivor 49 snake bite incident
Jeff Probst told Survivor 49 viewers that the snake bite suffered by Jake Latimer was an “unprecedented moment.” He added that the series had never experienced a situation like it before.
“Our team immediately got him on a boat. This is our medical center at base camp, it’s always here,” he further stated. “Jake is obviously emotionally upset, as anybody would be. But, it felt like we should bring you inside this so you really know what’s happening and can see that we’re absolutely focused on taking care of him.”
The host told the cast that Jake’s situation was “serious.” He said a Sea Krait’s bite was “ten times more dangerous” than a rattlesnake bite. He added that the 36-year-old was doing well.
In an Entertainment Weekly interview, Probst shared that Latimer was “remarkably calm” during the ordeal. He also revealed that a Sea krait biting a human was a rare occurrence, as Fijian crew members, doctors, and wildlife experts had never heard of such a situation.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad for ComingSoon.
