Skip to content

Driver hiss-terical after snake slithers into car

Lewis Adams
BBC News, Essex
Gareth Bowen The snake pictured behind the metal grille of a car. It has a light red or orange skin with brownish blotches along its back.Gareth Bowen
After a brief escape, the snake was later discovered hiding inside the grille of Gareth Bowen's car

A driver had the most anxious car journey of his life after a snake slithered into his vehicle.

Gareth Bowen spotted the slippery customer as he returned from shopping in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, on Friday.

The 49-year-old quickly lost sight of the reptile but, needing to get to work at a pub on time, had no choice but to get behind the wheel.

"I was wearing shorts and every draught on my legs felt like a snake - it was horrible," said Mr Bowen, who managed to get back unscathed.

He first saw the animal as he returned to his Ford Fiesta outside a Tesco supermarket in the town.

"I went to open the driver-side door and something slithered inside," he said, admitting a commotion followed.

"Everyone was looking at me wondering what was going on. They all thought I was making it up."

Mr Bowen is unsure how it got inside, but suggested it may have been clinging to the vehicle's underside.

Gareth Bowen A tattooed man wearing a black T-shirt holds the long snake with another man, who is out of shot. He looks focused and is standing in a small car park. Another man watches on with his arms crossed.Gareth Bowen
Mr Bowen's colleagues at The Ship in Kirby-le-Soken initially thought he was joking

Despite efforts to tempt the snake out of the vehicle, Mr Bowen decided to face the short drive home as his shift at The Ship in Kirby-le-Soken was fast approaching.

He enlisted the help of fiancée Michelle Fowle, 37, who said: "I thought he was seeing things, so I was in disbelief when I saw it.

"It's not something you expect to pick up while doing your shopping."

Mr Bowen later found the 5ft (1.5m) reptile hiding in the grille of his car while on the way to work.

"When I arrived, I said to the guys 'There's a snake in the car', and they all laughed," he said.

"But when they all came and looked they could see it for themselves."

Michelle Fowle Gareth Bowen, who has short hair and is wearing a white T-shirt, smiles in front of a mirror.Michelle Fowle
Mr Bowen was spared another journey with the snake after it was rescued

The animal has not been conclusively identified, but is thought to be a corn snake.

After consulting the RSPCA, Mr Bowen and Ms Fowle managed to find someone locally who owned a vivarium.

They came and collected the snake, much to the couple's relief.

Mr Bowen said it made for a much more relaxing journey home from work.

"It was a nice feeling driving home knowing it wasn't there any more," he added.

He hopes the owner of the snake may now come forward to claim their pet.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

You may also be interested in