Woman traumatised after python attack
Monday, 27 May 2019
Close encounter: Halifah being comforted by neighbours before she was rushed to hospital. (Right) Villagers measuring the python killed in the attack. — G.C. TAN/The Star
ALOR SETAR: She was just going about her household chores when she came face to face with a python.
Halifah Othman, 47, stepped out of the house to throw rubbish and was attacked by a 6m-long python, which coiled itself around her leg.
Her two teenage sons rushed to help when they heard her screams.
They tried to release Halifah from the python’s grip but the reptile held on firmly. A few villagers came to the rescue by slashing the snake with machetes.
“We buried the dead python near our house,” he said.
The family lives in Kampung Ulu Tawar Tengah, Mukim Bakai, Baling here.
The python had attacked the single mother at about 11pm on Saturday.
She was rushed to Kulim Hospital after sustaining injuries to her leg, hand and head in the struggle with the python.
Student Zulhamidi Abdul Halim, 16, who lives nearby, said: “I saw the woman bleeding from her neck and leg.”
He alerted the Civil Defence Force.
Baling District Civil Defence Force officer Lieutenant Mohd Faizol Ab Aziz said the woman’s house was located near an overgrown swampy area, which was likely where the snake had come from.
He said they received a distress call at about 11.30pm and reached the scene about 40 minutes later.
The python, he said, was killed by the villagers.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/27/woman-traumatised-after-python-attack/#IqTyD4mgICJkjytq.99
