11-Year-Old Boy Died of Snakebite After His Dad Sent Him to Bed to ‘Sleep it Off’ Thinking He’d Been Drinking Alcohol

An 11-year-old Australian boy tragically died from a snakebite after his father mistakenly believed his symptoms were a result of alcohol consumption. The heartbreaking incident occurred on November 21, 2021, when Tristian James Frahm was found deceased at a property in Murgon, a rural town in the South Burnett Region of Queensland. A post-mortem examination revealed that Tristian passed away from “extensive internal bleeding due to brown snake envenomation,” as indicated by a Coroners Court of Queensland inquest document.

The inquest disclosed that the boy’s father, Kerrod, and two other adults had been informed that Tristian might have been bitten by a snake after falling off a ride-on mower the day before his death. Despite this information, they attributed his vague symptoms to alcohol consumption after being told that Tristian had consumed alcohol earlier in the day. Consequently, they assumed he was merely dealing with the effects of alcohol and decided to let him sleep it off without seeking immediate medical attention.

Tristian exhibited symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and fatigue during the night he was sent to bed. However, it was later revealed that there was no alcohol present in his system when he passed away. The findings from the inquest suggested that had Tristian received prompt medical intervention, his death could likely have been prevented, as the snakebite could have been identified, and appropriate treatment administered.

Emergency physician Dr. Mark Little highlighted that Tristian’s symptoms, including a fall from the mower, nausea, and abdominal pain, could also be consistent with head trauma or alcohol consumption. Despite the unfortunate outcome, it was noted that the symptoms displayed by Tristian were non-specific and potentially could have been attributed to an illness rather than a snakebite.

When authorities arrived at the property after Tristian’s passing, they discovered two marks on his right ankle consistent with a snakebite. The inquest concluded that Tristian would have had a greater chance of survival if he had received timely medical care, as medical examinations could have identified the snakebite, leading to appropriate treatment being delivered.

Following the incident, Tristian’s father, Kerrod, was initially charged with manslaughter but the charge was later discontinued in April 2024. This devastating case underscored the importance of prompt medical treatment in snakebite situations, as emphasised by coroner Ainslie Kirkegaard. While tragic, this story serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for swift action in medical emergencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.