The survivor of a poison mushroom lunch that left three dead has been released from hospital in what his church has described as a “miracle”.
Ian Wilkinson, 68, a local pastor, survived the poisonous beef wellington served by stay-at-home mother Erin Patterson in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29.
He was invited to lunch along with his wife Heather, 66, her sister Gail and husband Don Patterson as part of a ‘mediation’ met to discuss Mrs Patterson’s relationship with her estranged husband Simon, who backed out at the last minute.
The Pattersons, both aged 70, and Mrs Wilkinson died days later.
Mr Wilkinson spent almost two months in hospital fighting for his life before being released from Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, which was revealed on Saturday.
Korumburra Baptist Church, where Mr Wilkinson preaches, delivered the good news to about 40 churchgoers during a service on Sunday.
Ian Wilkinson (pictured right with wife Heather Wilkinson) has been released from hospital after spending weeks recovering from a poisonous mushroom lunch that claimed the lives of three others, including his wife
His recovery was described at the service as a ‘miracle in itself’.
Churchgoers were urged to keep Mr Wilkinson in their thoughts and prayers as he continues his recovery.
Trevor Shaw told it Herald Sun he was pleased that Mr Wilkinson had made progress.
“It was a great joy for us as a community and for those who loved him that he is back home,” he said.
“Everyone in this community and even in the suburbs has been on their knees praying earnestly for his recovery.
“And those prayers have been answered, he is home. It’s still in progress, but how wonderful.’
Mr Shaw said the community hoped to find closure quickly as they waited for the results of the police investigation.
He acknowledged it would be a difficult time for Mr Wilkinson after losing his wife.
A family statement was released confirming Mr Wilkinson had been released from hospital.
“The Wilkinson family would like to express their sincere thanks to Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their continued dedication and exceptional care which played a vital role in Ian’s recovery,” it said.
“The expertise and compassion of the medical team have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey.”
“The family also thanked the local community, including church members and other loved ones.”
Erin Patterson (pictured) served a beef Wellington lunch at her home, killing three people. She has denied any wrongdoing
The above family tree shows the connections between the Pattersons and Wilkinsons who were embroiled in the unusual Leongatha poisoning tragedy
The family also thanked the local community, including church members and other loved ones.
“This collective kindness has been a pillar of strength for Ian and the family, reinforcing the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community,” they said.
Daily Mail Australia revealed last month that Mr Wilkinson likely only survived because he was rushed to a hospital known for his illness expertise in the treatment of patients suffering from poisonings.
A hospital insider told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Wilkinson had been transported to Austin Hospital – recognized as the hospital for Victoria’s most seriously ill patients – for a specific reason which is believed to have saved his life.
“The Austin wasn’t the natural hospital to go to. From Leongatha, the nearest hospital is Monash Medical Center, which is where they normally go. They basically went as far as they could to the hospital,” the source said. ‘The main intensive care unit, and you need the best, you go to The Alfred or Royal Melbourne. They didn’t do that either. The state’s poison control center is in Austin, so that’s why he went there.
“That means they are more interested in handling the mushrooms than in the intensive care part of it.”
Erin Patterson had previously told police the mushrooms used in the lunch were a mixture of button mushrooms bought at a supermarket and dried mushrooms bought months earlier at an Asian supermarket in Melbourne.
The homicide unit is investigating the incident.
Ms Patterson has denied any wrongdoing and Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting she deliberately poisoned her four family members.