Father saves 4-year-old son from enormous scrub python in Airlie Beach

Clifford Thompson is recovering in hospital after suffering a snake bite. Photo / News.com.au

A hero father has described the terrifying moment his 4-year-old son was attacked by 4.5m scrub python in the family's backyard.

Evan Thompson was hosting a house-warming party at his new home in Airlie Beach on Thursday when he heard his son Clifford screaming near the pool.

When he ran to investigate, he found a massive snake had latched onto Clifford's leg and was dragging him off their outdoor boardwalk.

"He was hanging on to the side-rail post for his life," Thompson told The Courier Mail.

The snake was about 4.5 metres long, according to Evan Thompson. Photo / News.com.au

"He's hanging on the rail and it's just dragging him, ripping his leg open and that's when I knew I just had to act," he said.

Thompson said his first instinct was to punch the snake in the head. But when it let go, it just curled up again and struck Clifford a second time.

Thompson then grabbed hold of the snake's head and pulled open its jaw until it popped off Clifford's thigh.

The boy was then able to ran away as Thompson killed the snake with a sledgehammer.

Evan Thompson killed the snake with a sledgehammer. Photo / Supplied

"If I wasn't there at the time, this snake could have killed him. It could have killed my kid easily," he said.

"I've never seen a snake that aggressive. The fact he just kept coming back is something I haven't experienced before," he told 7 News.

Thompson said the snake was about 4.5m long – one of the biggest he'd ever seen.

Clifford Thompson suffered nasty snake bites in the attack. Photo / Supplied

After tying a tourniquet around Clifford's leg and dressing the wounds, he then took his son to Prosperpine Hospital for treatment.

The 4-year-old later underwent surgery at Mackay Hospital.

Clifford Thompson underwent surgery in Mackay Hospital. Photo / News.com.au

"This is the last thing you would think is going to happen … it was quite brutal," Thompson said.

"[Clifford's] doing all right today. It bit him twice. He's a tough little bugger."

The family had only moved into the north Queensland home five days before the attack.