In brief
The incident highlights the dangers of wildlife encounters in suburban areas.
A driver on a Melbourne motorway experienced a harrowing moment when she discovered a venomous tiger snake slithering up her leg while operating her vehicle at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) on the Monash Freeway. In a frenzy, the woman managed to pull over, leaping from her car and abandoning one of her shoes while frantically trying to flag down help.Victoria Police swiftly arrived on the scene for a welfare check on the visibly shaken woman, who was "acting hiss-terically," according to their reports. The ordeal began when the driver felt an unusual sensation at her foot, prompting a quick inspection that revealed the dangerous snake.Melbourne Snake Control was subsequently called in to safely remove the animal, which is one of the world's most venomous snakes. The driver was taken to the hospital for a potential snake bite but is reported to be recovering well.Authorities praised the woman’s quick thinking as she managed to maneuver through traffic before escaping her vehicle. Witnessing drivers looked on in amazement, some even capturing the unusual scene on video, as the snake was extracted from the car. Tim Nanninga from Melbourne Snake Control confirmed they relocated the snake far from urban areas to ensure safety for both wildlife and residents.
