Coroner's Finding: Fish, Winston William

78y · Male·Multiple organ failure in the setting of neuropathy and coagulopathy caused by tiger snake envenomation

Winston William Fish, aged 78, died from multiple organ failure following tiger snake envenomation while working on his rural property in Tasmania. He was bitten at least twice by a 1400mm tiger snake while working near a gate. First aid was appropriately provided by neighbours who cut off the snake's head and restrained it. Ambulance personnel administered antivenom and transported him by air ambulance to Royal Hobart Hospital ICU where he received medical treatment but did not recover. Tiger snake venom causes neurotoxicity and coagulopathy leading to organ failure. The coroner noted this is an extremely rare death (three since 1948 in Tasmania) and that effective pressure immobilisation first aid and antivenom availability have minimised mortality. No clinical management failures or recommendations for change were identified.