Queensland couple scream in terror after python pops up on windshield
A Far North Queensland couple was confronted by their worst nightmare when a snake popped up on their windshield as they flew down the highway at 100km/h.
Video uploaded to Melissa Hudson's Facebook page on Monday shows a large python slithering out from the bonnet to the passenger-side window. All the while Ms Hudson and her partner Rodney Griggs yelled in fear, sometimes explicitly.
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"It was quite confronting," Ms Hudson told Today.
"It just appeared as we were coming around one of the scariest corners in the stretch of road between Townsville and Giru.
"Rodney did a very good job of not crashing, I kept telling him to concentrate".
Ms Hudson believes the reptilian hitchhiker was picked up at their home. A few days earlier they had seen a python with a "fat belly" sitting on one of their horses' saddles.
"We were going to go for a ride, we quickly changed our mind," she said.
"Avoided riding that day".
In the end, the python travelled with the pair for over 50km up to Alligator Creek in Townsville.
When it was safe to do so, the couple pulled over.
A roadworker came to the rescue and plucked the python off the bonnet.
"He was amazing, we were so grateful for him coming," Ms Hudson said.
Unknown to Ms Hudson, Today arranged for her saviour to surprise her on live TV.
In his Hi-Vis vest, Rodney Church sauntered calmly into view.
When Ms Hudson saw him she burst out laughing.
"Thank you Rodney, you're our saviour," she said, embracing him.
Mr Church said curiosity got the better of him that day.
"I seen them pulling up and I thought, 'well they're pointing everywhere I'll see what's going on,'" he said.
"Then I realised there was a snake on the bonnet. I couldn't leave him there, he was a nice old python.
"We get all sorts, just try and get everyone and everything home safe".
After Mr Church removed the snake he held up traffic so the python could safely slither into the bush.
"It was great to see it make its way to safety," Ms Hudson said.
"They are harmless I totally get that, but when they appear on your windscreen as you're going around a really scary corner then it's a bit scary."
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