DENVER, CO – A 2-year-old Kansas girl is recovering after surviving a near-fatal rattlesnake bite during a family trip to eastern Colorado for a Memorial Day weekend wedding.
A Sudden Attack in Rural Colorado
Quinn Robertson and her family had just arrived from Overland Park, Kansas, at a rental property around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25. While exploring the property with her mother, Colleen, the toddler suddenly cried out in pain.
Colleen discovered two bite marks on Quinn and spotted a rattlesnake hidden in the brush. Located in a remote area 10 miles from the nearest freeway, the family faced a race against time as Quinn quickly became lethargic, began vomiting, and lost consciousness.
Airlifted for Emergency Care
Due to the remote location, paramedics arranged for an emergency airlift. Officials noted that an ambulance transport would have taken too long to secure the life-saving treatment required.
Quinn was flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where medical staff worked for two hours to stabilize her. Her condition was critical, requiring:
- 30 vials of antivenom (an exceptionally high dosage for a child)
- A blood transfusion
- An emergency breathing tube in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
Toxicologists stated they had rarely seen a pediatric snakebite case of such extreme severity.
A Special Hospital Ceremony
Two days after the attack, doctors successfully removed the breathing tube. Though Quinn missed the official family wedding, hospital staff and family members organized a makeshift ceremony on the recovery floor.
Quinn’s father pulled her down the hospital hallway in a red wagon while she wore a flower crown, allowing her to fulfill her role as a flower girl.
The Road to Recovery
Quinn was discharged one week after the incident. While she is safely back home, her family notes she faces a lengthy recovery process involving physical therapy to address a lingering limp, ongoing lab work, and emotional support to cope with severe nightmares.
