A snake expert has been called to a fairly peculiar rescue in Western Sydney.

Deadly red-bellied black snake sighting puts mourners in a spin


Emotionally charged events such as funerals are not for the faint-hearted, especially when interrupted by one of the deadliest reptiles in the world.

Moments before a coffin was to be lowered into a grave at Sydney’s Leppington Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon the funeral director in charge spied a red-bellied black snake six feet under.

Cory Kerewaro saves the day.
Camera IconCory Kerewaro saves the day. Credit: YouTube

Proceedings abruptly ground to a halt and grieving friends and family shuffled nervously around the plot before courageous snake handler Cory Kerewaro arrived on the scene to battle the beast.

In a video taken of the terrifying ordeal a smiling and seemingly unperturbed Mr Kerewaro is shown capturing the snake and depositing it in a bag before taking it away.

Bystanders praised the snake wrangler for his bravery and funeral proceedings were permitted to resume.

The snake was later released back into the wild.