A barefoot woman was seen trying to flag down passing drivers on the Monash Fwy near Malvern, in Melbourne’s southeast, after discovering an intruder inside her car about 10.40am on Saturday.
“She had been travelling at 80km/h on the freeway when she felt something on foot her and looked down to find a deadly tiger snake slithering up her leg,” Victoria Police said.
She was able to fend it off and weave through traffic before pulling over and leaping out of her car.
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The woman — in a state of shock and wanting to ensure she hadn’t in fact been bitten — was assessed by paramedics at the scene.
Meanwhile, responding police worked out how best to deal with the snake.
“Needless to say, slapping the cuffs on this offender wasn’t an option, so officers called in specialist forces,” police said.
They called Tim from Melbourne Snake Control, who was able to quickly locate and capture the tiger snake.
Footage of the car shows the snake’s head emerging from under the steering wheel.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed paramedics assessed a woman in her 40s following the incident, and although no problem was identified “she was taken to The Alfred hospital for further observation”.
Tim confirmed the species of the reptile, noting that tiger snakes are the fourth most venomous snake in the world.
But drivers are warned to assume that any snakes spotted inside a vehicle are venomous, so that they act with the highest levels of caution.
“If you find a snake in your vehicle while driving, find a safe place to stop and get out. Always assume a snake is venomous – leave it where it is and never try to pick it up,” Snake expert and director of fauna safety advisory SSSAFE Craig Adams advised drivers.
“Don’t forget, too, they are protected from harm under Australian law.”
Adams also stressed the importance of keeping calm, and noted that “the fear reaction” can cause just as much damage as the snake itself.
“If you’re driving, find a safe place to slow down and then stop by the side of the road.”
Unlike this occasion, not all snake sightings in vehicles happen around such heavy traffic with onlookers to call for help.
Adams suggests anyone in a similar situation in NSW to call WIRES.
“You can also contact a snake-catcher in your local area to collect the snake, sometimes for a fee,” Adams said.