Sting in the tale 25m above sea level

BRISBANE - As far as tall tales go, this one's a whopper.

A crewman who decided to do a spot of fishing over the side of a towering bulk carrier off north Queensland has been stung by a tiny irukandji jellyfish flung skyward from the sea below.

A spray of seawater carried the jellyfish 25m up, hitting the man as he stood on the deck and leaving him with a nasty sting.

"This is one of the most fascinating tasks I've worked on," said air crewman Geoff Abrahams, who aided the response of a Queensland rescue helicopter.

"Realistically, what are the chances of being stung by a jellyfish when you are safely on board a bulk carrier 25 metres above the water? It's really incredible."

The helicopter landed on the bulk carrier Konmax and flew the man to Mackay Base Hospital, where tests confirmed he had been stung by the jellyfish.

- AAP