Woman, 79, in hospital after reported funnel-web spider bite

An elderly woman was rushed to hospital after she was reportedly bitten by a deadly spider.

An elderly woman has been rushed to hospital after being bitten by what is believed to be a funnel-web spider south of Newcastle.

The woman, 79, was taken to the Calvary Mater Hospital in a serious condition, a NSW Ambulance spokesman said.

Paramedics were called to the scene at Caves Beach just after midday after reports the woman had been bitten by a spider.

She was treated for a spider bite to her right ring finger.

The spokesman said witnesses at the scene had reported the bite was caused by a funnel-web spider, but he could not confirm if that was the case.

A Mater Hospital spokeswoman said the woman was in a stable condition on Wednesday afternoon.

Funnel-web spiders are one of the most deadly arachnids in the world, with their venom potentially fatal to humans.

Originally published as Woman, 79, in hospital after reported funnel-web spider bite