A teenager has died after being stung by a box jellyfish in North Queensland.
The 17-year-old was swimming at Patterson Point last Monday, when he was stung by the world's most venomous marine animal.
After being airlifted to Townsville Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, the young Australian was intubated for a week.
Queensland Police has since confirmed the boy died earlier this week.
Local health officials have issued a warning to those swimming in the area to be cautious.
"If you don't have a protective suit and you know there could be stingers or jellyfish in the water, just don't go in," Northern Director of Medical Services Dr Marlow Coates says.
Since records began in the 1880s, more than 70 people have died in Australia due to the sea creature.
It is the first time in 14 years someone has been killed by the chironex fleckeri jellyfish species.
