Snake bite kills grandfather: Donald Morrison dies after saving friend at Koumala
Snakebite kills grandfather: Donald Morrison dies after saving a friend in Koumala
A grandfather who died from a snakebite after removing it from his friend’s ankle has been celebrating the 100th anniversary of his former primary school.
Donald Morrison was bitten on the arm by the snake at Koumala State School, 60km south of Mackay, on Queensland’s north coast, at 6.30pm on Saturday.
The 69-year-old and his friend Lloyd Younger attended the school’s 100th anniversary celebrations, with Mr Morrison having previously studied on campus.
An old photo surfaced showing the grandfather as a young boy standing next to classmates as they posed for their school photo in 1964.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after Mr Morrison was bitten by the snake.
They treated his injuries for about half an hour before he was pronounced dead.
Donald Morrison (pictured left) was killed on Saturday after being bitten by a snake after saving a partner from the dangerous reptile after pulling it from his ankle
Donald Morrison (pictured top left, third row) was at an event celebrating the centenary of Koumala State School on Saturday
Paramedics believe an eastern brown snake may have bitten Mr Morrison on the arm after initial reports suggested it was bitten on the chest.
Mr Morrison’s physical condition rapidly deteriorated before he went into cardiac arrest.
Toxicology results have yet to confirm whether the elderly man was killed by the eastern porpoise.
Queensland Ambulance Deputy Commissioner Dr Claire Bertenshaw said The courier post that anti-venom doses were on their way before he died.
Mr. Younger suffered a dry bite, which is when a snake bites someone but does not release venom.
He was released by Mackay Base Hospital on Sunday.
Mr Morrison removed the snake from the crowd after pulling it from his friend’s ankle.
His daughter said on Facebook that he was bitten while removing the reptile.
Mr Morrison’s family released a heartbreaking statement following the death of their loved one.
Mr Morrison was at Koumala State School’s centenary celebrations on Saturday when he was bitten by the snake after removing the animal from the crowd gathered at the event.
“We all enjoyed ourselves, especially Donny, who was very happy to catch up with so many old friends,” the family said.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in the incident involving Donny. People tried together to resuscitate Don, but unfortunately that was not successful.
“We regret that the incident led to the event being halted prematurely.”
Several others also posted tributes to Mr Morrison, who was remembered as a ‘larrikin’ and an ‘entertainer’.
A woman at the event this weekend described the man as “brazen” and “full of mischief.”
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
Brown snakes have the second most venomous venom of all land snakes in the world.
According to the Australian Museum, they cause more deaths in Australia each year than any other group of snakes in Australia.
Mr Morrison is said to have been bitten on the arm by a brown snake, but autopsy and toxicology reports have yet to confirm whether he was bitten by the animal.