A Merseyside man has died just over a week after being bitten by a ‘venomous spider’ he bought on the internet, his family has claimed.

Mark Anthony Kirby, 38, died on Saturday, August 2, having bought five spiders from the ‘web’ a few weeks earlier.

His ex-partner of 16 years and mum to his children, Kayleigh Gill, said that Mark had travelled to Scotland with her, her new partner and sister for a night away, despite being bitten by one of the spiders.

He complained of feeling unwell, but was still his jovial self during their meal at Toby Carvery before they returned home the next day.

In the week that followed, Mark experienced flu-like symptoms such as fluctuating body temperature and aching limbs.

On the day he died, he had called Kayleigh’s sister, Kath, who lives nearby, complaining of breathing difficulties, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Kath went round to his flat and called 999 before Mark collapsed. By the time paramedics arrived, it was too late.

Paying tribute to the dad-of-two, Kayleigh said:

“He was funny, caring, outgoing and such a people person. He was a brilliant dad to our two children and was always the life and soul of the party.

“He had bought five spiders online two or three weeks before and was obsessed with him.

“I think he bought them because he lived alone but he was always terrified of insects when we were together. Even though we had split up, we were best friends. He put our children first.”

On the spider bite:

“He told me about the bite and I said he needed to go to hospital but he didn’t. People shouldn’t be able to buy these spiders online, people should need licences to own them.”

It is pretty mental that anyone can just order a venomous spider off the internet to keep at home (why would you even want a venomous spider – let alone 5 – in your house?). Even more mental that someone could get bitten by one and not go to the hospital, even after feeling unwell for days after.

It would have been good to know what species the spider was but either way, it was such a tragic and avoidable outcome. Hopefully his story will serve as a warning to others.

RIP Mark and thoughts with his friends and family, including 18-year-old son Nathan-Mark and 17-year-old daughter Kimmy-Louise.

For the man who found a creepy spider in his KFC wrap after taking a bite out of it, click HERE. Gross.