Melbourne mum sues over alleged snake bite that ‘killed’ seven-year-old son during Belgrave school excursion

A VICTORIAN mum is suing over the suspected snake bite death of her son, 7, on a Grade 1 school excursion in Melbourne’s outer east.

Little Junpeng Tan, 7, suffered a cardiac arrest and died after a suspected snake bite.

A VICTORIAN mum is suing over the suspected snake bite death of her son on a Grade 1 school excursion.

The boy, 7, was on a trip to Belgrave Recreational Reserve, in Melbourne’s outer east, when he was allegedly bitten by a brown snake.

The eastern brown snake is a common culprit in snakebites on humans and domestic pets.

Junpeng Tan suffered a cardiac arrest and despite teachers administering CPR, later died at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

The pathologist who conducted the autopsy concluded that while there was no evidence of any injury that would have contributed or led to death, “it seems reasonable to determine that this unfortunate young fellow has succumbed to a snake bite”.

The boy’s mother Xiaoying Tan is suing the State Government, which operates Rowville Primary School, and the owners of Mount Morton Camp and Conference Centre at Belgrave Heights where Junpeng and his Grade 1 classmates were visiting when he was allegedly bitten on October, 15 2013.

Ms Tan is seeking damages for pain and suffering and loss of earnings.

Ms Tan and her son had only moved to Australia from China two months before he died.

In a writ lodged this week in the County Court, Ms Tan accuses the school and the reserve operators of being negligent in their supervision and duty of care towards her son.

Ms Tan says she now suffers a major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, shock and anxiety and unresolved grief following the unexpected death of her only child, among other severe psychological conditions.

Public safety lawyer Dimi Ioannou, from Maurice Blackburn, said her client was “devastated” over her son’s death, which they believe was preventable.

“We allege that the school failed to adequately supervise, protect and take proper care of Junpeng,” Ms Ioannou said.

“We also allege that the operators of the camp failed to ensure as far as was reasonably practicable that the premises was safe and without risks or hazards that were likely to cause unnecessary injury or death.”

Ms Tan’s statement of claim says she has suffered considerable injury, loss and damage since her son’s passing and would continue to suffer injury, loss and damage as a result of the defendants’ negligence and breach of duty.

Originally published as Melbourne mum sues over alleged snake bite that ‘killed’ seven-year-old son during Belgrave school excursion