Third venomous snake in 14 months invades Epping’s Northern Hospital

A VISITOR of the venomous kind has slithered into an Epping hospital for the third time in just over a year, but a snake handler says patients and visitors have nothing to fear.

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PATIENTS and visitors shouldn’t fear attending Epping’s Northern Hospital despite a third venomous snake sighted there in less than a year, a professional snake-rustler has said.

Mark “The Snake Hunter” Pelley made the comments after he was called to the hospital at 2.30am today to remove a whip snake which had slithered into a ward.

It comes after a January 25 incident when Mr Pelley was summoned by concerned hospital staff to catch the same species of snake.

The fearless snake hunter was also called to the hospital to capture an eastern brown snake in December 2016.

Mr Pelley, who has six years’ professional experience hunting snakes in the northern suburbs, said people shouldn’t be concerned.

“Snakes are going to make their way into hospitals and there isn’t anyone can do to prevent that,” Mr Pelley said.

“The location of the hospital, time of year and the construction going on in the area are the reasons why we seeing snakes come in.

“What Northern Health staff did was exactly the right thing to do, they called me and I caught the snake in less than ten seconds.”

According to Mr Pelley, whip snakes are shy but can become aggressive when cornered.

“This one had probably just come in to get a bit of rest in a quiet spot,” he said.

“They are venomous but not deadly, if you are bitten then seek urgent medical help.”

Mr Pelley said the snake was currently in a box at his house but he planned to release it tonight.

A Northern Health spokesperson, who refused to be named, said patients were not at risk and staff responded “quickly and appropriately to ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors”.