Australian man bitten by deadly snake dies after six days in hospital

Toxic bite from coastal taipan snake can kill human in 30 minutes if left untreated

Taipans are the sixth deadliest snakes in the world and can kill a human in half an hour (file photo) (REUTERS)

A man has died after being bitten by a venomous snake at his home.

David Pitt, 77, was bitten on the foot by a taipan snake at his home in Cairns, eastern Australia, and died six days after being rushed to intensive care.

Paramedics confirmed the 1.5m-long reptile had highly toxic venom and lashed out after Mr Pitt attempted to hit it with a shovel.

Mr Pitt went into cardiac arrest but was revived before being transported to Cairns Hospital. Taipans are the sixth deadliest snake in the world and can kill a human in 30 minutes if the bite is left untreated.

Friends described Mr Pitt as a “passionate and tenacious man” who loved golf and contributed to his local golf association, according to MailOnline.

He was the second person to be killed by a coastal taipan in Queensland this year, and the fifth victim in the past five years.

Coastal taipans are only found in Australia and on the island of New Guinea, and have been known to hide in rubbish tips while hunting for prey.