Man Dies After Being Bitten by a Snake in Sea Off Australia

He was on a fishing trawler pulling up a net when the incident happened.

sea snake
Olive sea snake (Aipysurus laevis), two days old; it may grow to 2 m. ReefHQ Aquarium, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. (Auscape/UIG via Getty Images)
UIG via Getty Images

A 23-year-old man died after getting bit by a sea snake while on a fishing trawler off Australia. He was bitten while pulling up a net, reports CNN. The incident took place in the Gulf of Carpentaria off the Northern Territory. Ships in the area rushed in with medical supplies and assistance but the man was declared dead after the trawler made its way to the town of Borroloola.

At least 32 species of sea snakes have been found in warmer waters off the Northern Territory and Queensland. Most bites reportedly occur on fishing trawlers but bites are rarely fatal and its not common for a lethal dose of venom to be delivered.

According to CNN, a British High Commission spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in the Northern Territory and are in contact with the Australian authorities.”

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