Family’s tribute to heroic grandfather who saved mate from snake

The family of a gutsy grandfather who was bitten by a snake after he successfully removed it from a mate’s ankle have opened up about the tragic death which happened in front of dozens of people.

Koumala State School was celebrating its 100th year when the tragedy happened.

The family of a grandfather who was bitten by a snake after he successfully removed it from a mate’s ankle have opened up about the incident.

On Saturday, Donald (Donny) Morrison, 69, died after paramedics and bystanders attempted to save him after he suffered a cardiac arrest while trying to help another man at the Koumala State School Centenary reunion.

On Monday, the family shared a message with the Koumala State School Centenary celebrations group.

“We all enjoyed ourselves, especially Donny who was really happy to have caught up with so many old friends,” the family said in a statement.

“We would like to thank everyone involved with the incident involving Donny, people pulled together in an attempt to resuscitate Don but unfortunately were not successful.

“We are sorry that the incident led to the event being shut down early.”

The centenary celebrations where Mr Morrison was bitten were held in front of the school office near the main entrance.

There are a few garden beds and bushes which could provide cover for a snake, but the area is mostly open.

The area at the Koumala State School, which was celebrating its 100th year, where the tragedy happened. Photo: Toby Crockford

An autopsy is expected to be carried out to help determine the type of snake involved in the fatal attack.

Queensland Ambulance Deputy Commissioner Dr Claire Bertenshaw said the man had been bitten on the arm.

His daughter, who was there when the tragedy unfolded, said he had been bitten while taking the snake away from the area.

Dr Bertenshaw said they believed it was a brown snake due to the symptoms he experienced.

Mr Morrison may have died so quickly because of how fast the venom spread around his body.

Anti-venom was being taken to him at the time he died.

The other man, 65, was taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition and was discharged Sunday morning.

This is the second snake death in Queensland this year.

In January a man in his 60s died after he was bitten trying to move a snake in the Lockyer Valley

SNAKE DEATHS EXTREMELY RARE

University of Queensland snake expert Dr Christina Zdenek said on average two to three Australians die from snakes a year.

"In perspective, Australians are 400 times more likely to die in a car accident than from a snake bite," Dr Zednek said.

"People should not try to remove snakes themselves. Because for one, they might get the identification of the species incorrect. "

“And for two, handling Australian venomous snakes is no joke.

“They're extremely quick. And people underestimate that speed. And the snake may interpret you trying to handle them, or catch them as they're being attacked."

‘HAVING A BEER FOR UNCLE DONNY’

On Sunday, Josh Gibbins was among those at Koumala Pub ‘having a beer for Uncle Donny’.

Koumala is a town in mourning after the death of local man Donald (Donny) Morrison, 69, after he was bitten by a snake helping a friend. Photo: Toby Crockford

Since the incident friends and family have taken to social media to discuss his heroic efforts.

“Such a sad event. Someone trying to help someone else,” one friend said.

“Let us all be grateful for this gentleman’s heroic efforts and he saved his friend’s life. RIP good friend/neighbour.

“Beautiful gentleman and a friend to all who ever had the pleasure to know him,” another friend said.

“Sincerest condolences to his beautiful wife and family.”

While other friends recounted Donny being among the people they spent time with at the reunion.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said what he did was selfless.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of the local Koumala man who lost his life following a fatal snake bite over the weekend,” she said.

“It takes a special person to selflessly help when another is in trouble.”

Koumala, about 60km south of Mackay, has a population of almost 800.

It is situated next to the Bruce Highway, centred around the local hotel, general store, and post office.

It also has a community hall, mechanic, and the school.

Members of the tight knit community declined to speak when approached by The Daily Mercury on Monday.

Mr Morrison’s family also declined to speak and asked for privacy.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF BITTEN BY A SNAKE?

If you are bitten by a snake, you should avoid moving, stay calm and apply compression.

A broad bandage should be applied from the top of the bite and cover the entire limb that was bitten.

It needs to be applied as soon as possible after the snake bites.

Help should be brought to the patient rather than trying to take the patient to the help.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SNAKE BITE KIT

Most snake bite kits include bandages required to provide first aid, however a specific kit is ideal if you want those items easy to find and access in an emergency.

Consider whether you need a kit that can be easily stored within a larger kit, a backpack or a glove box?

Or perhaps you require the kit to have straps so it can be affixed to you during movement such as walking or hiking.

A small basic snake bite kit can be purchased for as little as $10 online.