On 9/11/2001 all air traffic had been grounded over the United States, but one single plane that had two chaperones.
Lawrence Van Sertima, a herpetologist, which means a reptile expert, was handling one of his taipan snakes.
He had never been bitten before but all that changed when the taipan latched onto his thumb.
One plane carrying the antivenom to the hospital was allowed to take off, guided by two fighter jets.
The exception saved Lawrence’s life.
