A deadly snake scare shut down an Australian passenger jet for two whole hours on Tuesday. Travelers aboard Virgin Australia Flight VA337 watched their Brisbane trip turn into a nightmare when crew members spotted the slithery stowaway hiding inside the cargo area. The plane sat grounded at Melbourne Airport as emergency snake experts raced to the scene. Mark Pelley grabbed his gear and sped through traffic to catch the dangerous reptile before it could escape deeper into the aircraft. Airport security guards made him wait precious minutes before letting him reach the troubled Boeing 737.
Pelley crept into the dark cargo hold expecting to face one of Australia's killer snakes. The two-foot green tree snake had wedged itself behind a metal panel where it could vanish into the plane's guts. One wrong move would force airline workers to rip apart the entire aircraft hunting for the missing creature. Pelley knew he had just one chance to grab the snake before losing it forever inside the jet. His quick reflexes saved the day when he snatched the reptile on his first attempt.
The harmless snake probably snuck aboard inside someone's luggage during the earlier flight from Brisbane to Melbourne. Airport rules prevent releasing the protected animal back into nature. A Melbourne animal doctor will find the snake a new home with a licensed keeper who can care for it properly.
Pelley crept into the dark cargo hold expecting to face one of Australia's killer snakes. The two-foot green tree snake had wedged itself behind a metal panel where it could vanish into the plane's guts. One wrong move would force airline workers to rip apart the entire aircraft hunting for the missing creature. Pelley knew he had just one chance to grab the snake before losing it forever inside the jet. His quick reflexes saved the day when he snatched the reptile on his first attempt.
The harmless snake probably snuck aboard inside someone's luggage during the earlier flight from Brisbane to Melbourne. Airport rules prevent releasing the protected animal back into nature. A Melbourne animal doctor will find the snake a new home with a licensed keeper who can care for it properly.
