Family pays respects to Ergon snake bite victim

A FORMER Emerald Ergon Energy worker found dead on the job in central Queensland last week died almost instantly after being bitten by a taipan snake.

Yeppoon crew leader Andrew Vaughan, 57, was found dead by a colleague on Friday afternoon in bushland west of Yeppoon after an intensive search by police, SES volunteers and Ergon Energy employees.

Ergon Energy was conducting annual checks on power poles in the area.

Mr Vaughan remains well-known and fondly remembered in the Central Highlands.

"Andy has been my brother-in-law for about 30 years. He was one of a kind and a pleasure to know," Emerald's Alan Johnson wrote as a website tribute.

"He was raised well and has left a big hole in the world of his family and all who knew him.

"Andy, you will be missed and have earned a place in heaven. RIP."

Ergon, who is conducting its own internal investigation, has confirmed the snake bite as the cause of death.

Mr Vaughan's funeral will be held in Yeppoon today.