Inquest into the death of Tristian Jaemes Frahm
Deceased
Tristian Jaemes Frahm
Demographics
11y, male
Date of death
2021-11-21
Finding date
2025-10-15
Cause of death
Brown snake envenomation
AI-generated summary
An 11-year-old boy died from brown snake envenomation after falling from a ride-on mower at a rural property. He exhibited early collapse symptoms (dizziness, vomiting, slurred speech) consistent with snake venom-induced coagulopathy. Three adults, including his father, were informed of possible snakebite but found no obvious fang marks on his ankle and attributed his symptoms to alcohol consumption. They did not seek medical attention. Over 10 hours, Tristian deteriorated with abdominal pain and repeated vomiting but remained conscious and mobile, making the severity non-obvious. He died from internal bleeding due to venom-induced consumption coagulopathy—an extremely rare complication occurring in only 3% of brown snake envenomations. Death was likely preventable with early medical attention including pressure bandaging, hospital assessment, antivenom, and coagulopathy management. Key lessons: take any possibility of snakebite seriously regardless of visible marks; seek immediate medical attention (call 000) even with non-specific symptoms; apply pressure bandaging and immobilisation immediately.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Failure to recognise snakebite as cause of symptoms due to absence of obvious puncture marks
- Misattribution of symptoms to alcohol consumption
- Delay in seeking medical attention
- Lack of public awareness about snakebite appearance and first aid
- Absence of pressure bandaging and immobilisation
- Adults were intoxicated or asleep during deterioration
- Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) causing internal bleeding
- Non-specific early symptoms that appeared benign (vomiting, abdominal pain) despite being life-threatening
Coroner's recommendations
- Promote and reinforce public awareness and understanding of the appearance of snakebite, recognising signs and symptoms of snake envenomation, and the need for urgent medical attention by immediately phoning 000, applying a pressure bandage and keeping the person still, even if there is just the possibility of snakebite
- Individuals must educate and protect themselves and those in their care regarding snakebite recognition and first aid
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