British man dies from sea snake bite in the NT

A British man has been killed in the Northern Territory after being bitten by a sea snake.

The 23-year-old man, believed to be a backpacker, was working on a fishing trawler when he was bitten by the deadly creature.

He was pulling in a net yesterday when it happened, NT police said.

CareFlight went to help, along with other ships in the area, providing medical supplies for emergency treatment, according to police.

He was taken to Borroloola, 50km inland from the Gulf of Carpenteria but he was declared dead.

The British Embassy has been notified.

A NT police spokeswoman said: “Police will continue with their enquiries and a post mortem will be conducted.”

The Marine Education Society of Australia said sea snakes are among the world’s most venomous creatures, though don’t bite unless provoked or disturbed.

They don’t come to land unless sick or stranded, and often gather in schools.

Some species can grow up to 3m and many are endangered.

They can be found in tropical waters and as far south as NSW.