On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Jerromy Brookes, a 47-year-old man, succumbed to the venom of an Eastern Brown Snake in Queensland, Australia. Recognized by the Billabong Sanctuary Townsville as the planet’s second most venomous snake, this deadly reptile delivered several bites to Brookes’ left arm.
Brookes, lacking professional snake-handling skills, attempted to capture the snake after receiving a panicked call from a family member about a snake at a nearby childcare center. During this endeavor, the snake bit him three times. He successfully got the snake into a bag and then headed to his residence in Deeragun, Townsville to inform his wife about the incident.
On his return home, his wife immediately began applying first aid, dressing his arm, and performing CPR as he started losing consciousness. Paula Marten, Queensland’s acting director of the Townsville district, underscored the importance of staying calm and applying basic first aid in such scenarios. Despite these immediate measures, paramedics, who were called to the scene around 3 p.m., couldn’t prevent Brookes from going into cardiac arrest prior to their arrival.
Brookes was quickly transported to Townsville University Hospital in a critical state and was declared dead later in the evening. His death marks the first recorded snake-related fatality in Australia in 2024. This incident aligns with a report from the Queensland Ambulance highlighting six snake bite incidents in the area in the last 48 hours.
The venom of Eastern Brown Snakes can cause death within minutes by interfering with blood clotting and damaging blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure and possible collapse.
Timothy Jackson, an evolutionary toxicologist from the Melbourne University Australian Venom Research Unit, warns that a victim can experience cardiovascular collapse within 30 minutes of being bitten. He advises victims to stay still, apply first aid, and try to keep their heart rate low, especially in remote areas.
Snake experts strongly advise against interacting with snakes unless one is certified and properly trained. Ben Avery, a snake catcher, recommends immediate contact with a professional snake catcher when encountering Eastern Brown Snakes. Avery also warns about the neurotoxic venom of these snakes that can harm muscles, the heart, and other organs.
Research from the University of Melbourne shows that brown snakes accounted for 23 out of 35 snake bite fatalities in Australia from 2000 to 2016. The study also observed that snake bite victims in Australia are typically male and bites occur more frequently during warmer seasons.
The Eastern Brown Snake, known for its medium size, relatively slender body, and moderately sized head, is commonly found in woodlands, scrublands, and savannah grasslands, primarily in eastern and southeastern Australia.
These snakes are particularly active during the spring and fall seasons.
The community is mourning the loss of a father who died while trying to protect young children from this dangerous reptile.
