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Then, around 3 p.m., paramedics were called to a home in Deeragun, Townsville, after Brookes was bitten, reports 9 News.
Before emergency responders arrived, Brookes went into cardiac arrest. He was then taken to Townsville University Hospital in critical condition, where he later died that evening, per ABC Australia.
“The venom basically disrupts your clotting cascade at a very elevated rate, but while it’s doing that it is also damaging blood vessels, impacting blood pressure, which can result in a collapse in some cases,” said Timothy Jackson, an evolutionary toxicologist at Melbourne University Australian Venom Research Unit, per ABC Australia.
He said that a victim can suffer cardiovascular collapse within half an hour of a bite. Along with recommending immobilization, Jackson said victims should stay still. For victims bitten in remote locations, Jackson recommends attempting to keep heart rate low as well as applying first aid.
Stock image of Eastern Brown Snake.Getty
Additionally, professional snake catchers have warned against the dangers of attempting to capture and approach snakes.
Snake catcher Ben Avery explained that untrained and unlicensed people should not approach or disturb the Eastern Brown Snake, per 9 News. “Neurotoxic venom, they are going to start affecting your muscles, your heart, and every single organ,” explained Avery.
“Most of the lethal snake bites recorded in Australia have been from Eastern Browns,” per the Billabong Sanctuary Townsville. “Most snake bites occur when someone is trying to kill or catch a snake.”
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Brookes is the first Australian to die from a snake bite in 2024. Snake bites are common in the area, with the Queensland Ambulance reporting six snakebites on its X (formerly Twitter) account in the last 48 hours.
A representative for Queensland Ambulance did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Wednesday.
source: people.com
