In an incident that seems straight out of a movie script, a Disney television star became an unexpected hero on a Virgin flight from Broome when a slithery stowaway caused a stir in the cabin. The flight, scheduled to depart Broome Airport at 10:30 am on a sunny Thursday morning, faced an unusual delay. Passengers and crew aboard Flight 1482 were in for a surprise when a snake appeared unannounced, prompting a flurry of excitement and concern.


But fear not because Andre Rerekura, a familiar face from the Disney series 'Shipwreck Hunters,' was on board and ready to take action. With the calm demeanour of someone who's no stranger to wildlife encounters, Rerekura stepped up to the challenge. The TV star, who was conveniently seated at the front of the plane, managed to safely capture and remove the snake before the aircraft could depart from Broome.


The cabin crew and passengers were both amused and relieved by the scene, which could have been lifted from a Hollywood blockbuster. One flight attendant humorously remarked, 'There was never a dull moment in aviation,' and went on to say, 'That certainly takes the cake, everyone. We do have a gentleman on board who has safely and soundly taken the snake off the aircraft.'


Jesse Noakes, co-founder of The Last Place on Earth and the person who supplied the footage to News Corp, praised Rerekura's swift and fearless response. The underwater cinematographer and renowned outdoorsman showed no hesitation despite only having his bare hands to aid him. After his heroic act, all Rerekura asked for was a glass of soda water to quench his 'big Kimberley thirst' when he returned to his seat.

Rerekura's familiarity with reptiles, including sea snakes, was evident. He had been filming these creatures off Scott Reef, located more than 250 kilometres off the Kimberley coast, for an upcoming production. This area is one of the last wild places left in Australia, and Rerekura, along with his cinematography partners, had been capturing the precious and fragile ecosystem of Scott Reef.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson confirmed that the non-venomous snake was discovered in the cabin during boarding. Under normal circumstances, the crew would report such an incident and call a professional to remove the wildlife. However, in this case, Rerekura's quick intervention resolved the situation before the professionals arrived. The snake was handed over to the airport reporting officer, and the aircraft continued its service to Perth without further ado.


'We thank our passengers for their patience,' the spokesperson added, acknowledging the unexpected delay and the cooperative spirit of those on board.

Craig Shaw, the chief executive of Broome International Airport, expressed his uncertainty about how the reptile found its way onto the plane but was pleased with the minimal disruption to the service thanks to the staff's assistance in removing the reptile.

This remarkable story not only highlights the unexpected adventures that can occur in the skies but also the importance of staying calm and resourceful in the face of the unexpected. It's a reminder that heroes come in all forms – sometimes, they're even the stars of our favorite TV shows.

So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, have you ever encountered wildlife in an unexpected place? How would you react if you found yourself in a similar situation? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below – we'd love to hear about your adventurous encounters, whether on land, at sea, or up in the air!