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Fourth child stung by irukandji on Fraser Island (K’gari)

A fourth child has been flown off Fraser Island in the space of just 24 hours after being stung by irukandji.

A girl was airlifted off Fraser Island because of a marine sting, believed to be that of an irukandji.

A fourth child has been flown off Fraser Island in just 24 hours after a suspected irukandji sting at a popular swimming spot.

A young boy was flown off the island on Wednesday afternoon, while three young girls were flown to Hervey Bay Hospital on Tuesday.

The boy was reportedly swimming at Wathumba Creek on the western side of the island, the same spot as the children who were flown out on Tuesday.

He was stung on the upper leg.

A young boy was flown off the island on Wednesday afternoon, while three young girls were flown to Hervey Bay Hospital on Tuesday.
A young boy was flown off the island on Wednesday afternoon, while three young girls were flown to Hervey Bay Hospital on Tuesday.

The rescue helicopter was called into action just after 2.30pm.

The pilot managed to land the aircraft on the beach, close to where the primary school-aged child was with his family and other tourists.

The patient, accompanied by his mother, was flown to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition.

The flight follows two back-to-back missions to K‘gari to airlift three girls to hospital following reactions to stings they received while playing or swimming in the water.

The chopper crew was first tasked around 11am yesterday, to aid one young holiday-maker who was suffering from envenomation symptoms.

A tiny but fully grown deadly irukandji jellyfish lies next to match sticks for size comparison.
A tiny but fully grown deadly irukandji jellyfish lies next to match sticks for size comparison.

Just over an hour after transferring her into the care of medical staff at Hervey Bay Hospital, the crew returned to the island when two sisters, aged 5 and 9 years old, were both stung across their upper chest area.

They were also flown to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition, accompanied by their mother.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said marine stingers were a part of the natural marine ecosystem and QPWS advised all visitors to take all hazards of the natural environment into account when visiting national parks.

“In particular, QPWS advises people that beaches at K‘gari (Fraser Island), Great Sandy National Park, are unpatrolled and people swim at these beaches at their own risk,” he said.

“Queenslanders are urged to remain alert during stinger season, which generally extends from November to the end of May.”

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/emergency-services/fourth-child-stung-by-irukandji-on-fraser-island-kgari/news-story/3a153bbc4e214f18bac7f8bc4837d2f3