An Australian mother is heartbroken after her 16-year-old son tragically died after being bitten by a brown snake, but says he will live on thanks to organ donations.
Beau Horan, 16, was doing garden work at his family’s property in Wurdong Heights, in Queensland’s Gladstone region, on Monday.
He thought he had scratched his foot while working in the bushes, but his sister saw a brown snake dart away.
Beau quickly returned inside and collapsed moments later, hitting his head against a wall and tiles on the floor.
‘I was at work when it happened, and his sister and stepfather were with him. I was on the phone to his stepdad when he collapsed,” his mother, Bec Eddy, told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They called an ambulance and after assessing him he was rushed to hospital where he was given anti-venom.’
That night, Beau was put into a coma and when staff discovered he had a severe brain haemorrhage, he was flown to Brisbane Hospital.
Beau fought for his life for three days, but tragically died on Thursday morning, leaving behind two sisters.
16-year-old Beau Horan (left) was doing garden work on the family property in Gladstone, Queensland, said his mother Bec Eddy (pictured right)
Beau Horan (right) was rushed to hospital where he was given antivenom, but staff discovered a brain haemorrhage
The family is still unsure whether the snakebite directly caused the brain hemorrhage.
“He was so involved in school – he loved robotics and was a passionate gamer, always playing with his friends,” Bec explained.
‘He had a cheeky sense of humour, was incredibly loyal to his sisters and always managed to stay positive no matter what life threw at him. He could shake off a bad day.
‘He was so excited to go to Year 11 and had big dreams of becoming a teacher. He was incredible – truly the love of my life.
“This was the first brown snake we have seen in three years, although we have always been aware of the danger.”
Mrs Eddy revealed that her son was an organ donor, and through his generosity he will give the gift of life to four other people.
She also wanted to raise awareness about the risks of snakebites.
Brown snakes are the most common cause of fatal snakebites in Australia, but it is rare for people to die from them. About 3,000 snakebites are reported annually, resulting in about two deaths per year.
Bec Eddy said her son was excited to start Grade 11 and dreamed of becoming a teacher
Beau Horan was deeply involved in his school and had a passion for robotics, his mother said
Beau is pictured next to his sisters
The eastern brown snake is found in eastern Australia, from North Queensland to South Australia, and is extremely venomous.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed a male teenager was transported to Gladstone Hospital in a life-threatening condition on Monday after suffering a suspected snakebite to the foot.
A Gladstone Hospital spokesperson said the patient was later transferred.