Wind speed trapped the python against the side of the engine
For excitement it may not
have matched the Samuel L Jackson film, Snakes On A Plane, but
passengers on a Qantas flight watched with fascination as one snake
fought out its own drama.
A 10ft (3m) scrub python was battling to retain its grip on
the wing as a plane made its way between the Australian town of Cairns
and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.It held on the whole 1hr 50 min flight.
But on arrival in Port Moresby, ground crew found the snake had died.
Passengers first became aware of the reptile 20 minutes after take-off. A woman pointed out the python to fellow passengers and cabin crew.
At first only its head was visible, but as it tried to manoeuvre itself back to safety, its whole body was exposed. Time and again it tried to pull itself back into the shelter of the wing, but the wind was relentless.
The wind speed was 250mph (400km/h) and the temperature -12C.
