An elderly farmer was killed by a 24ft python as he was returning home from a forest in Indonesia.

La Dusu, 65, was walking home from his orchard in Southeast Sulawesi when the reptile struck from the undergrowth on Sunday afternoon.

He screamed as the powerful serpent coiled around his torso before his desperate cries were heard by two residents nearby.

But instead of immediately helping, the pair rushed back to the village in South Buton Regency for backup, and a third local rushed to the scene, hacking the python with a machete.

Footage shows the python slashed to death on the forest floor. But by the time it was subdued, La Dusu was no longer breathing.

A resident who had run to help La Dusu said: 'The victim screamed for help. His voice was clear and heartbreaking. But we were afraid and didn't dare take action. The situation was very tense. The snake was very large and we were frozen in terror by its size.'

Inspector Kardi, Sampolawa Police Chief, said police were notified of the python attack at 5 pm local time.

He said: 'Snakes are often found at the location of the incident in Makolona Hamlet. In fact, about four months ago, the victim killed a snake in the same location.'

The police chief also urged farmers to be more careful of potential python attacks during the rainy season.

Neighbours helped carry La Dusu's body back to the village using a makeshift stretcher.

In July, a 61-year-old grandfather named La Nato was also killed by a python in South Buton Regency. His body was found after residents dissected the stomach of a bloated 27-foot python.

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans. The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.