An Australian mother is heartbroken after her 16-year-old son tragically passed away after a brown snake bite, but says he will live on through organ donations.
On Monday morning, 16-year-old Beau Horan was doing yard work on the family property in Wurdong Heights, in the Gladstone region of Queensland, when he thought he had scratched himself on the foot while working in the bushes. However, Beau's sister had seen a brown snake darting away after Beau thought he was scratched.
Beau quickly returned inside, but moments later collapsed, hitting his head against a wall and tiles. His family then discovered that he had been bitten.
'I was at work when it happened, and his sister and stepdad were with him. I was on the phone with his stepdad when he collapsed,' his mother, Bec Eddy, shared with Daily Mail Australia.
'They called an ambulance, and after assessing him, he was rushed to the hospital where he was given antivenom.'
That night he was put into a coma, and when staff discovered the severe brain bleed he was flown to Brisbane Hospital. Beau fought for his life for three days but tragically passed away on Thursday morning, leaving behind two sisters.
'He was so involved in school - he loved robotics and was a passionate gamer, always playing with his friends,' Bec explained.
'He had a cheeky sense of humour, was incredibly loyal to his sisters, and always managed to stay positive no matter what life threw at him. He could shake off a bad day.'
'He was so excited to go into Year 11 and had big dreams of becoming a teacher. He was incredible - truly the love of my life.'
This tragic incident marked the first brown snake sighting in three years for their family although they have always been aware of the danger.
Mrs Eddy revealed that her son was an organ donor and through his generosity will give the gift of life to four other people. She also wanted to raise awareness about the risks of snake bites.
Brown snakes are the most common cause of fatal snake bites in Australia; however it is rare for bites to be fatal. The eastern brown snake is found across eastern Australia from north Queensland to South Australia and is extremely venomous.
- Remove any debris or wood piles: Cut back long grass and shrubbery; remove leaf litter; block any holes around your house that may look like safe spots for snakes.
- Keep pests under control: Rodents are good food sources for snakes—less food means fewer snakes.
- Aviaries & chook pens: Keep secure clean free from rodents; use fine mesh/shade cloth outside aviary so snakes don't get stuck in wire .
- Cats & dogs safety:If possible keep cats inside; provide snake avoidance training which can be lifesaving .
A spokesperson confirmed transportation details confirming suspected case severity leading towards necessary medical steps taken post-bite incident involving young male teen patient transferred accordingly due needful interventions required therein contextually related considerations thereof addressed hereinabove mentioned previously discussed earlier priorly stated aforementioned documentationally recorded instance account reported respectively noted individually cited herewithal included within comprehensive overview summary description provided accurately reflecting factual basis underlying core substance content matter concerned pertinently relevant thereto associated directly connected pertaining specifically applicable particularly relating exclusively subjectively objective standpoint viewpoint perspective angle approach methodology technique strategy adopted employed utilized implemented executed conducted performed carried out undertaken accomplished achieved attained 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