Boy, 6, stranded in tree after spotting venomous snake hissing at base
A six-year-old boy out exploring on his family’s Queensland property became trapped in a tree after an agitated and highly venomous snake slithered around the base.
Young Zeffy was just about to make his way down the tree on the Pomona property when he heard something hissing beneath him.
Calling out to his mum for help, she found a restless red-bellied black snake trapped in some netting underneath – blocking the only way down for her son.
She immediately put in a call to Noosa snake catcher Luke Huntsley, who dropped what he was doing and rushed to the scene.
“As soon as she made the call, I just jumped straight in the car and started driving,” Mr Huntsley told Yahoo7 News.
“Because of the slope behind him, the only way for him to get out, was where the snake was.
“Every time he tried to get out, the snake would raise its head and open its mouth.
Arriving on the scene, Mr Huntsley dragged the netting away from the tree and carried Zeffy from the tree before cutting the snake free.
“He was very brave but he was getting really tired as he was standing on this thin branch,” he said, adding that it could have been a very different story had Zeffy tried to jump down.
“To a small child, a [bite from a] red bellied black snake can be very bad, it would make him incredibly sick and unwell and he would definitely need a stint in hospital.”
He praised the mother and son for their composure during the situation, saying it ensured for a smooth rescue for all involved.
