Home / Health / 9/11 Chaos: Inland Taipan Antivenom Flight Allowed
9/11 Chaos: Inland Taipan Antivenom Flight Allowed
9 Sep
Summary
- A rare inland taipan antivenom flight crossed US airspace post-9/11.
- Lawrence Van Sertima survived a bite from one of the world's most venomous snakes.
- Fighter jets escorted the critical antivenom transport across the country.
In the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, US airspace was completely shut down. However, less than 24 hours later, an exception was granted for a critical medical emergency. On September 12, a special flight transported a rare supply of inland taipan antivenom to save Lawrence Van Sertima, a 62-year-old man bitten by one of the most venomous snakes known.
Van Sertima, an experienced snake handler, was bitten by an Australian inland taipan. His condition rapidly deteriorated, suffering severe internal bleeding. Standard antivenom proved insufficient, and specific taipan antivenom was urgently required. With only two known supplies in the United States, officials worked tirelessly to secure the medicine.
The request was escalated to the Federal Aviation Administration, which eventually approved a special daylight flight. A contracted aircraft flew from Florida to California to collect the antivenom from the San Diego Zoo. Escorted by two fighter jets, the vital medicine was delivered to Miami, enabling doctors to administer it and save Van Sertima's life.
