Diver stung in face by poisonous jellyfish

MACKAY, Australia, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A 29-year-old man was stung in the face by a poisonous jellyfish when he jumped into the water off the coast of Australia's South Molle Island, officials said.

Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service spokeswoman Leonie Hansen said the man, whose identity was not released, dived off a yacht near South Molle Island and was immediately stung by an Irukandji jellyfish, Sky News reported Friday.

Hansen said the victim was immediately flown to a hospital after Thursday's incident and was listed in serious condition a hospital spokeswoman said.

"The crew said he was shivering and in shock and in a great deal of pain," Hansen said.

The victim was wearing a full-body stinger suit when he entered the water, and the jellyfish managed to sting him on one of the exposed parts of his body.

Hansen said the sting of the Irukandji jellyfish is rarely fatal, but always painful.

"It doesn't matter where they sting you (on your body) the effects are the same. Unlike the Box jellyfish, normally with Irukandji's they are only fatal if the person has a pre-existing medical condition, like a bad heart," she told the Brisbane (Australia) Times.