Can-do moment A brave train driver uses a broom to remove an unwanted visitor from the track
- Train driver removes hose from track
- Employee wanted to leave on time
- He took it away with a broom
A train driver at a busy city station plucked a 8-foot-long python from the tracks with a broom after the reptile threatened the timely departure of his train service.
The worker was caught on film kneeling on a platform at Roma Street Station in Brisbane’s CBD before gently brooming the critter away on Monday.
Vision showed the driver walking to the end of the platform to get the hose off the rails and out of the way so his Bundaberg-bound Tilt train could get going.
The large reptile was seen hanging from the man’s broom, while the concerned railway workers watched from a distance.
Snake catchers were called after the python was first seen, but officials were told it would take two hours for an expert to arrive. 7News said.
Vision showed the driver walking to the end of the platform to clear the snake out of the way so his Bundaberg-bound Tilt train could get going
The railway worker was photographed walking across a platform at Roma Street Station in Brisbane’s CBD as he gently carried the reptile away with the broom on Monday (pictured)
Due to the delay, the driver took matters into his own hands by removing the hose from the rails and placing it at the end of the platform.
Queensland Rail’s Scott Cornish said drivers are sometimes required to remove wildlife from the rails to keep the train service running and for ‘customer safety’.
“We are grateful that our driver was able to protect both the hose and our customers by safely placing it out of the rail corridor,” he said.
“We are also pleased to report that the 2.3m carpet python has been relocated to a lush new habitat in the bush.”
It comes as snake catchers have been unusually busy in southeast Queensland this winter season.
Tony Harrison of Harrison’s Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher said the unusually warm climate brought the snakes out.
“Because we’re still getting 31C peaks, these guys are still doing their thing,” said Mr. Harrison.
He added that cold-blooded creatures are more active when it’s warmer, but slow down in cooler climates.
The brave worker was caught on film kneeling on the platform to scoop the hose off the rails (pictured)
The train station incident comes as snake catchers have been unusually busy in south-east Queensland this winter season
Queensland Rail’s Scott Cornish said drivers are sometimes required to remove wildlife from the rails to keep the train service running and for ‘customer safety’ (pictured, a platform at Roma Street railway station)
Meanwhile, the image of the snake being lifted off the rails sparked surprise and praise for the driver on social media.
“Not all heroes wear capes,” said one.
“Yeah, I’d need a broom at least twice as long for that sort of maneuver,” said another.
“I didn’t expect to find a snake in the CBD, especially a noisy, vibrating one [as trains pass] train station,’ said a third.
“I can already see him getting a written warning for improper use of a broom,” joked one sarcastic commenter.