Community mourns 6-year-old boy after fatal rattlesnake bite in Security-Widefield

SECURITY-WIDEFIELD, Colo. (KRDO) -- A six-year-old boy died after being bitten by a rattlesnake in Security-Widefield on Tuesday last week.

The child, Simon Currat, was bitten during a bike ride with his father and sister at Bluestem Prairie Open Space, as the family stopped for a water break.

Derek Chambers, Battalion Chief of the Security Fire Department, said Simon ran ahead of his father and sister to look at a mile marker sign. From up ahead, his father heard Simon yell "rattlesnake" and immediately sprung into action.

He carried his bitten son, running with his daughter alongside him to the nearest neighborhood, where neighbors in the area heard the cries for help and called 911.

The boy's father used the phone of one of those neighbors, and that neighbor said it felt like responders got to Simon and his family quickly.

Chambers confirmed that he arrived to the scene five minutes after the 911 call, and when he got there Simon had not yet gone into cardiac arrest.

Chambers immediately called Lifeline for a helicopter, which transported Simon to a local hospital. From there, Simon was later taken to Children's hospital in Aurora where he could receive more specialized treatment.

After the next few days in the hospital, the El Paso County Coroner's office confirmed the boy passed away from the rattlesnake bite in Aurora on July 9.

Tuesday, KRDO Newschannel 13 spoke with leaders at Calvary Worship Center in Colorado Springs, where the boy's family attends church.

Children's Director, Michelle Johnson, said following the rattlesnake bite, the church heard from the family who was asking their congregation for prayer.

“We received a text message that Simon had been bitten by a snake," Johnson said. "There was prayer sent out and also pastors that responded by going to the hospital, meeting with the family and praying over Simon throughout the coming days. Of course, we were hoping that he would pull through, but it didn't go that way.”

Johnson said Simon attended weekly church groups and was an active participant and friend.

"If he saw a kid that didn't have a friend, he was that friend," said Johnson.

She says he was kind, always looking out for his siblings, and was a passionate learner in Sunday School.

"Full of life and he just loves the Lord. So as individuals who believe in Jesus Christ, we know that he's with God and there's great joy in that," said Johnson.

Church Leaders say Simon's family is asking for prayers as they process the loss of their little boy.

Simon leaves behind his parents and three siblings.

If you would like to help them, you can donate via a verified GoFundMe.