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On 9/11, a Rare Snakebite Triggered an Impossible Air Mission
8 Sep
Summary
- A rare inland taipan, known for its potent venom, bit an experienced handler.
- An urgent antivenom transport was organized across the US during a flight ban.
- The incident highlighted everyday emergencies continuing on 9/11.
On September 11, 2001, amidst the unfolding national tragedy, an unrelated emergency struck when an experienced exotic animal handler, Lawrence Van Sertima, was bitten by a rare inland taipan.
The venom from the Australian snake, considered the most toxic globally, rapidly incapacitated Van Sertima. His condition was dire, marked by internal bleeding and respiratory distress, necessitating immediate and specialized treatment.
Fire Capt. Al Cruz and Johnny Delgado of Baptist Health South Florida faced immense challenges in securing critical antivenom. With flights grounded due to the terrorist attacks, obtaining the necessary medical supply seemed impossible.
After extensive efforts, a rare FAA clearance was granted for a jet to fly from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego to retrieve the antivenom. This perilous journey was completed on September 12, 2001, with the antivenom arriving just in time.
Van Sertima survived due to the swift and unprecedented cross-country antivenom delivery. He later emphasized that the snake acted naturally and he alone was responsible for the incident.
Van Sertima passed away in March 2024 at 84, remembered by friends as a dedicated animal lover and storyteller, a complex individual beyond his near-fatal 9/11 snakebite.
