The entrance to Umdloti was closed on March 4 as paramedics attended to a tourist who was bitten by a green mamba while crossing the road outside the Whitesands shopping centre.

The green mamba had been crossing the road when a car drove over it. When the woman crossed the road moments later the injured snake bit her twice on the leg.

It is believed that the couple that drove over the snake, immediately realised that the snake would pose a danger and turned the car around.

A bystander said the rest of scene played out like it was part of a movie.

A gentleman on the other side of the road saw what had happened and tried to warn the lady about the snake. She did not understand what was being said and at that point, the snake sailed up to her and took a bite. Still shocked the lady did not know what was going on and only realized when she saw the two bitemarks.

The woman has since recovered from the incident and has been discharged from hospital.