The teens, all between the ages of 15 and 17, had gathered at the lakeside home for a weeklong summer break, hoping to enjoy swimming, boating, and outdoor barbecues. On the second night of their stay, around 9:30 p.m., the group was relaxing by the back patio when one of them spotted a snake slithering near the deck steps. Moments later, panic erupted as the snake suddenly lunged toward the group.

“It was chaos,” said 17-year-old Emily Rhodes, one of the teens present. “We were just sitting around, playing music and roasting marshmallows, and out of nowhere, someone screamed. Then the snake was just there, striking.”

According to local authorities, the snake is believed to have been an eastern cottonmouth, also known as a water moccasin — a venomous species commonly found in the southeastern United States, particularly near bodies of water like Lake Gaston. Wildlife officials confirmed that this type of snake is especially aggressive when threatened or surprised, which may have been the case as the teens were making noise and moving around in the dimly lit backyard.

Four of the teenagers sustained bite wounds. Emergency responders arrived within 20 minutes of the 911 call and administered first aid before transporting the injured to a nearby hospital. None of the injuries were life-threatening, but one teen was kept overnight for observation due to swelling and a mild reaction to the venom.

Parents were quickly notified, and several drove to the lake that night to retrieve their children. The rental property owner, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed shock and concern over the incident.

“I’ve owned that property for over ten years, and nothing like this has ever happened,” they said. “We’ve always maintained the grounds and worked with pest control and local wildlife services. This is incredibly rare.”

Wildlife experts agree. Dr. Karen Simmons, a herpetologist from North Carolina State University, called the event “unusual, but not impossible.”

“Cottonmouths are native to this region, and while they generally avoid human contact, they may be drawn closer to populated areas by food, water, or shelter. This is a reminder that when you’re vacationing in natural environments, you’re also sharing space with wildlife,” Simmons explained.

Local authorities have since issued a public advisory urging homeowners and visitors around Lake Gaston to remain vigilant, keep yards clear of debris, and avoid walking barefoot outside at night. The property where the attack occurred has temporarily closed for safety inspections.

As for the group of friends, their summer trip was cut short, but they say they’re grateful the outcome wasn’t worse.

“I think we’re all still shaken,” said Rhodes. “We’ll definitely remember this trip — just not for the reasons we expected.”

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