Two dead, two in hospital after eating poisonous mushrooms in Gippsland

Two women have died and two men are in hospital after they ingested poisonous wild mushrooms at a lunch in south Gippsland.

The group of four became sick after eating a meal at a home in Leongatha on July 29, according to Victoria Police. They were all transported to hospital the following day.

A 66-year-old woman and a 70-year-old woman, both from Korumburra, died in hospital on Friday.

A 70-year-old man and a 68-year-old man remain in hospital.

“At this time the exact circumstances are still being established and it is not known if the matter is suspicious,” a spokeswoman for Victoria Police said.

A Department of Health spokesman confirmed they were aware of the incident and said investigations alongside Victoria Police were ongoing.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the patients’ family for their loss,” he said.

It is not yet known what type of mushroom the group ate.

An advisory from the health department noted two varieties of poisonous mushrooms – the death cap and yellow-staining mushrooms – grow in Victoria during wetter and cooler months.

There is no home test available to decipher which wild mushrooms are safe to eat and which are poisonous.

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