Australian Josh Taylor dies after being buried beneath sand

Australian Josh Taylor has died five days after getting buried in a 5-foot deep sand pit that had been dug for a pig roast on a remote beach.

The 23-year-old succumbed Thursday at the Princess Alexandra Hospital after his family took him off life support.

“He fought as hard as he could and is the most courageous person we will ever know,” Taylor’s family said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the injuries he received were too severe for him to overcome.”

Taylor was hailed as “the best son, brother, boyfriend and mate we could all have wished for” who will be “missed every minute of every day.”

Taylor was spending time with friends on Saturday afternoon on Bribie Island — a popular camping location north of Brisbane — when he fell head-first into the sand pit.

Authorities are still investigating “and believe there may be numerous people who were present and are yet to speak with police.”

A man who helped dig Taylor out told the local outlet 7 News that the hole had been prepared to cook a pig in.

“He stood up off the chair, the sand had given away a little bit underneath him,” said the witness, who was only identified as Nathan.

“He stumbled back. He’d put his arms out to obviously to break the fall, he’s continued going down and knocked sand as he’s put his arms out,” the witness added. “He was that deep in the hole that you could not see him, his feet, unless you were standing on top of the hole.”

It took 15 people to pull the 23-year-old from the sand using a rope tied to his legs, but the rescue effort seemingly caused additional injuries.

“It was pretty gnarly when he popped out. I threw up,” Nathan said.

Wildlife rangers performed CPR on the victim, before paramedics arrived and took over the life-saving measures.

He was then airlifted by helicopter to the hospital in critical condition.

It has been reported that Taylor had been without a pulse for 45 minutes before he was revived.

A GoFundMe campaign that was created on behalf of Taylor’s parents described him as “a vibrant and adventurous soul who has brought so much joy to those around him.”

The fundraiser has raked in more than $68,000 as of Friday to support the family.