Reptile catcher issues warning after father dies from suspected snake bite

The man, in his 60s, was bitten by the snake at 9.53am yesterday in Kensington Grove, about 50 kilometres from Brisbane.

He died before paramedics arrived. 

The snake was believed to be an eastern brown, Australia’s second most venomous land snake, however a toxicology report still needs to be completed.

Fatal snake bites have become relatively rare since the introduction of the antivenom program; two people per year die on average.

Just hours later, another person was taken to hospital in a stable condition after a reported snake bite in Mount Garnet, about 161 km from Cairns.

Harrison’s Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher Tony Harrison told 9news.com.au that operators have been receiving a large amount of callouts with snake season well and truly underway.

“It’s the time of the year where we are at our busiest, we’re getting 10 to 15 callouts per day,” he said.

“If anyone sees a snake try not to interact with it as this may cause the animal to defend itself. If it is venomous then things can go south quickly.”

When it comes to snake and spiders, there are a few species’ bites that require immediate first aid.

“Place the firm bandage over the bite site and the rest of the bitten limb, over the top of clothing if there’s some in place.

“Keep the limb still with a splint, and the patient still as well.”