Bantwal: Jerald Rodrigues (55) of Kettigudde near Punjalkatte died of snakebite on Wednesday morning.
He was a daily wage-earner and on hearing that a snake had sneaked into the house of an entrepreneur he volunteered to catch it. The owners of the house are said to have repeatedly asked him not to take any risk.
Defying their appeals, he went ahead under the mistaken impression that it was an ordinary snake or a young python. The reptile bit him on his hand.
Others who arrived there correctly identified it as the deadly Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii – commonly known in local languages as kandoDi or kannaDihaavu) and beat it up to death.
Rodrigues got himself treated only with native medicine and went home. His condition turned to worse on Wednesday morning and he was rushed to a hospital in Badyar in Beltangady taluk. He is said to have died on the way.
He is survived by wife and three sons.
(File pic for illustrative purpose only)