Tragedy in the Outback: Coroner Rules 11-Year-Old Boy’s Snakebite Death Was Preventable as Heartbroken Family Demands Answers
- A coroner’s inquest finds that Tristian Frahm’s death from a brown snake bite in 2021 was potentially preventable if he had received timely medical attention.
- The 11-year-old boy died after being bitten by a snake at a property near Murgon, Queensland, and was not initially treated for a snakebite.
- The coroner’s findings highlight the need for better awareness and education on snakebite management, warning that even the possibility of a snakebite should be taken seriously.
In a devastating blow to his grieving family, a coroner has ruled that 11-year-old Tristian Frahm’s death from a snakebite in 2021 was potentially preventable if he had received timely medical attention. The young boy died after being bitten by a brown snake at a property near Murgon, Queensland, and was not initially treated for a snakebite.
Tristian’s tragic death has sent shockwaves through the small community, with his family demanding answers about the circumstances surrounding his passing. The coroner’s inquest heard that Tristian began exhibiting general symptoms after being found in a paddock, having fallen off a ride-on mower on the afternoon of November 20, 2021. Despite being checked for snake bites, there were no obvious signs, and his father, Kerrod Frahm, attributed Tristian’s complaints of “pain in the belly” to a belief that he had “snuck” three cans of bourbon from an esky on the property.
However, forensic pathologist Dr. Christopher Day, who performed Tristian’s autopsy, told the court that there were no signs of alcohol in his blood. Tristian was told to lie down and “sleep it off” and spent the next few hours vomiting and at times exhibiting “significant pain”. He was found lying face down in the yard the next morning by his father, having died sometime on the morning of November 21, 2021.
Coroner Ainslie Kirkegaard stated that Tristian’s death demonstrated the importance of promoting and reinforcing public awareness of the appearance and treatment of snakebites. “Let this be Tristian’s legacy,” she said, highlighting the need for better education on snakebite management. The coroner noted that it was essential to take even the possibility of a snakebite seriously by immediately calling emergency services, applying a pressure bandage, and keeping the person still — regardless of the absence of symptoms or bite marks.
In a stark warning, Cairns Hospital emergency physician and toxicologist Dr. Mark Little referenced a study undertaken in Darwin, which found that only about 20% of people bitten by snakes had received appropriate first aid prior to hospital treatment. Dr. Little emphasized the need to improve public understanding of the correct first aid response to snakebite.
As Tristian’s family continues to grapple with the loss of their beloved son, the coroner’s findings serve as a tragic reminder of the importance of prioritizing timely medical attention in the face of a potential snakebite. Tristian’s death has left a lasting impact on the community, and his family hopes that his legacy will inspire greater awareness and education on snakebite management.