Snake escapes on French train

MARSEILLE, France, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Officials with the French railway said a 6 1/2-foot snake that escaped on a train was found in a ventilation shaft.

The officials told La Provence newspaper the boa constrictor's owner noticed one of his two snakes was missing from their bag during the Paris to Marseille train ride Saturday and specially trained firefighters were brought on board after all the passengers left in Marseille, The Local reported Tuesday.

The firefighters dismantled portions of the train's walls and discovered the boa hiding in a ventilation shaft. The snake was returned to its owner.