A young father has died in a diving accident after being stung by a venomous lionfish at sea.

Tiago Rodrigues da Silva, 25, was diving from a fishing boat off the coast of the town of Grossos, Brazil, when he collapsed and died on 18th May.

He was reportedly stung three times by a lionfish, a non-native species with venomous spines known to cause extreme pain, paralysis, and even death.

His father, who was also on board the boat, told local media his son had been hit by the fish moments before he began to feel unwell.

The grieving dad said: "He said, 'Dad, I’ve been stung by a lionfish'.

"I thought he was joking. But he took off his diving suit and lay down. That's when I saw he was really ill."

Despite attempts to help him, reports indicate Tiago died on the boat before reaching the shore where medics were waiting to treat him.

His body was later taken to the town of Areia Branca where a wake was held.

Local authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of death but said it was consistent with lionfish envenomation.

The lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific region, has spread across parts of the Atlantic and Caribbean where it has become an invasive species.

In Brazil, sightings have been increasing, prompting warnings from environmental and fishing groups.

The death has shocked the small fishing community in Grossos, a coastal town in Rio Grande do Norte state.

Tiago’s family said he had been diving for several years and was experienced in the water.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)