(AP) — A snake-handling pastor who appeared on the National Geographic television reality show “Snake Salvation” has died after being bitten by a snake at a weekend church service in Kentucky.

Jamie Coots was handling a rattlesnake at his Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name Church in Middlesboro when he was bitten on the hand Saturday night.

Police said an ambulance arrived at the church Saturday evening but emergency workers were told Coots had gone home. Authorities said Coots initially refused medical treatment and when emergency workers return later that night, the pastor was dead from a venomous snake bite.

The pastor’s son, Cody Coots, told the television station his dad had been bit eight times before, but never had had such a severe reaction.