‘It decided to go me’: Hiker reveals bloody aftermath of massive python attack in Cairns

Joel Herrington was on a three-kilometre trek to Clamshell Falls on Monday when he and buddies got here throughout the large reptile.

Herrington stated he “didn’t see it coming” when “all of a sudden” the beast “dropped down from above”.

“I was at a waterfall and we were walking back up and there was a couple in front of us, they pointed out a snake above us so, we stopped and had a look,” he stated on Today.

“I saw it and then I took some photos and went back down because I dropped a couple of bottles.

“(When) I went to seize the bottles, I received a full face slap on the face.

“I didn’t see it coming. Crazy.

“It was up to now up above us earlier than after which it dropped down and I had no concept that it was that near my face after which I began bleeding profusely.

“My mate took a video. Then the rest is history.”

Herrington stated that as a result of he owns a snake as a pet – a carpet python over two metres lengthy – he was capable of keep comparatively calm throughout the ordeal.

“Everyone’s saying all these comments: ‘You harassed the snake’, but I didn’t do a Steve Irwin,” he stated.

“I took photos, I went back down because I was doing the right thing with the rubbish and the bush and I walked back up – calm and casual like I always am with the snakes – and it decided to go me.

“When I began taking images, it began dropping down and I left it alone.

“Minding my own business, went down with the rubbish, grabbed it, brought it back up, and it slapped me in the face and I tumbled down the hill.”

After discussions with a wildlife skilled, although a uncommon prevalence, it is believed the snake mistook Herrington for prey.

“It is very unusual,” Herrington stated.

“Everyone’s saying they don’t do anything unless you provoke them, but they obviously react.

“It was hanging down from the tree above me and we theorise – I talked to a mate from Queensland Parks and he stated that he agrees with me – that was simply sit ing there ready within the bushes for a bat or chicken, and I occurred to be shut sufficient to it.”