As Boy Was Dying From Snake Bite, Dad Misread Symptoms

An inquest in Queensland, Australia, has determined that the tragic death of 11-year-old Tristian James Frahm in 2021 could likely have been prevented had he received medical care sooner. The boy died after being bitten by a brown snake, one of the most venomous species in the world.

According to the findings, Tristian’s father and two other adults mistakenly assumed his symptoms—vomiting, fatigue, and stomach pain—were the result of drinking alcohol rather than a snakebite. Believing he had “snuck” several cans of bourbon, they told him to sleep it off instead of seeking medical help. The next morning, the boy was found dead in the yard.

The inquest revealed that Tristian had fallen off a ride-on mower the previous day and may have been bitten by a snake at that time. Although someone mentioned the possibility of a snakebite, the adults found no visible puncture marks and dismissed the concern. Toxicology tests later confirmed there was no alcohol in his system, contradicting the father’s assumption.

Coroner Ainslie Kirkegaard stated that brown snake venom can cause dangerous internal bleeding, and while major hemorrhages are rare, timely treatment could have saved the boy’s life. “Tristian would more likely than not have survived if medical attention had been sought,” Kirkegaard said. After his death, investigators found two small marks on his ankle consistent with a snakebite.

Tristian’s father was initially charged with manslaughter, but prosecutors dropped the charge in April 2024 following the conclusion of the investigation.

Original Source