A woman in her 40s discovered an eastern brown snake latched to the small fabric loop of her sneaker while geocaching in south‑west Sydney on Dec. 20. Snake catcher Cory Kerewaro identified the species from a photo and carefully pinned the heat‑stressed snake before cutting the shoe loop to free her. NSW Ambulance treated the incident as a suspected snakebite, applied a pressure bandage and box splint, and transported the patient to a hospital that carries antivenom. Eastern brown snakes are highly venomous and can produce life‑threatening symptoms if not treated promptly.
Eastern Brown Snake Latched To Woman's Sneaker During Sydney Geocache — She Was Treated For Suspected Bites
Reptile Relocation Sydney FacebookThe eastern brown snake trapped in the woman's shoe
On Saturday, Dec. 20, a woman in her 40s taking part in a geocaching outing in south‑west Sydney discovered an eastern brown snake clamped to the small fabric loop at the back of her sneaker. The highly venomous reptile had become lodged in the shoe as temperatures climbed to about 36–38°C, and the woman was taken to hospital for treatment after emergency crews treated the incident as a suspected snakebite.
How it happened
The New South Wales resident had just jumped out of a garden bed and ran onto the road when she felt something on her lower leg. Thinking it was a leaf, she stopped and shook her leg — and was shocked to see a snake attached to her shoe. She froze immediately and an ambulance was already on the way.
Identification and response
Reptile Relocation Sydney FacebookThe snake trapped in the woman's shoe
Snake catcher Cory Kerewaro, who operates as Reptile Relocation Sydney, confirmed from a photo that the reptile was an eastern brown snake. He later recalled on Facebook that the snake had become "completely wedged" in the shoe loop, an almost implausible situation given the species' size and speed.
"Brown snakes are highly reactive when stressed, and there was nowhere to take cover, nowhere to approach from safely, and no room for error," Kerewaro said. "Any sudden movement could cause the snake to react."
When Kerewaro arrived, he observed signs of heat stress in the animal and noted it was less reactive than it might otherwise have been. He carefully pinned the snake and cut the small loop of the sneaker to free the woman without provoking the animal further.
Medical treatment
NSW Ambulance treated the incident as a suspected snakebite. Paramedics applied a pressure bandage and a box splint to immobilize the limb and transported the patient to a hospital that stocks antivenom. NSW Ambulance acting duty operations manager Linda Evans said there were marks on the patient's legs that could have been bites or scratches from the bushland, so crews erred on the side of caution and treated the patient accordingly.
Reptile Relocation Sydney FacebookThe suspected snake bites
Risk and outcomes
Eastern brown snakes are among Australia's most venomous species and, if untreated, can cause life‑threatening symptoms; Kerewaro noted they can reportedly kill in under 15 minutes in severe cases. Because of the speed and potency of their venom, rapid assessment and transport to a facility with antivenom is standard protocol.
Aftermath
Reptile Relocation Sydney described the callout as one of the most unusual events the team had attended. The woman was stabilized by paramedics and taken to hospital for observation and possible antivenom treatment. PEOPLE contacted NSW Ambulance for further comment.
Safety tips (general advice)
- Stay still and keep calm if you discover a snake on or near you to avoid startling it.
- Call emergency services and contact a trained wildlife handler if available.
- If bitten or suspected of being bitten, immobilize the limb and seek immediate medical help — do not try to capture or kill the snake.
