GEORGE TOWN: Escape artiste Dean Gunnarson needed only a hairpin to free himself from a transparent box filled with 20 poisonous snakes at the Snake Temple here.

And it took him less than 15 minutes to unlock four pairs of handcuffs on his hands and arms with the pin, and a chainlock which secured the box.

The Canadian said he was glad to overcome his own fear in dealing with the creatures he feared most.

He admitted that it was among his toughest challenges throughout his career that saw him performing daring escapes in 165 countries.

“I did not know how long it took me to free myself. I was totally focused in my task.

“And the snakes were poisonous! Luckily I was not bitten,” he told reporters after the daring feat at 4pm on Tuesday.

Gunnarson had earlier sought permission from the Penang Hokkien Kongsi Board of Trustees which administers the temple to allow him to carry out the feat there.

Under the strong sunlight in the compound of the temple, he was seen adeptly freeing himself from the handcuffs and opening the chainlock.

Crew members kept cautioning him about the vipers which could be seen slithering around on his chest, abdomen and legs.

When he got out from the box, many people came forward to have their pictures taken with him.

Gunnarson’s latest act was documented and is scheduled to be screened worldwide.-thestar