A woman died while taking part in a cake-eating competition to celebrate Australia Day.

Paramedics were called to a pub in the state of Queensland on Sunday afternoon after a woman was involved in a โ€œmedical incidentโ€.

Public broadcaster ABC reported the 60-year-old had a seizure after she โ€œshovelled a lamington into her mouthโ€.

Lamingtons, a traditional Australian dessert, are cube-shaped sponge cakes dipped in chocolate and covered in grated coconut.

The woman was rushed to hospital in the coastal town of Hervey Bay but couldn’t survive.

She was a contestant in the Beach House Hotelโ€™s annual Australia Day lamington and meat pie eating contest.

In a post on Facebook, management and staff offered their โ€œdeepest condolencesโ€ to the womanโ€™s friends and family.

โ€œWe acknowledge and thank our supportive patrons, staff, and the Queensland Ambulance Service for their prompt and professional response while this tragic incident was unfolding,โ€ the post said.

โ€œThe hotel staff have been offered professional support while our thoughts firmly remain with the family at this challenging time.โ€

Police said the death was not suspicious and a report would be prepared for the coroner.