Wild adder causes brief disruption at Paimio service station
A young adder unexpectedly entered a Neste Huili service station in Paimio on Saturday morning, prompting a rescue operation before being safely returned to the wild. The incident, which drew attention from both staff and customers, was resolved without incident.
The snake was first spotted by a customer shortly before 10:00 on Ajurintie, according to MTV Uutiset. Unit manager Hanna Niemi (Helsingin Sanomat) stated that the adder was seen slithering across the floor before disappearing under the sales counter. Surveillance footage later confirmed its movements, showing it had moved into the store area.
The Southwest Finland Rescue Department was called to the scene and, along with the service station owner, dismantled parts of the counter to search for the snake. However, the adder remained hidden during the initial inspection, and the rescue team left after advising staff to monitor the situation (Iltalehti).
A follow-up call led to a second visit from the rescue department, during which the snake was found hiding under shelves in the store’s shopping corner. The young adder was successfully captured and released back into nature (Helsingin Sanomat).
Niemi described the situation as calm, with customers remaining understanding despite the unusual disruption. She noted that such an occurrence was unprecedented at the station, with no prior reports of snakes entering the premises (Helsingin Sanomat).