Serpent still coiled on arm

Death ‘tragic but rare occurrence’

A CORONER has described the death of a man in Hobart in January due to a tiger snake bite as a tragic but rare event.

Winston Fish, known as Bill, died after he was bitten while working on his property at Interlaken.

He was found with the snake still coiled up his arm and was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, but later died of organ failure.

The 78-year-old was the third person to die of snake bite in Tasmania since 1948.

“The death of Mr Fish by tiger snake en venom at ion represents a tragic but rare occurrence ,” Coroner Olivia McTaggart said in her findings.

“As noted by D PI P WE in its report for this investigation, all three land snakes in Tasmania have highly toxic venom. However, the risk of people being bit ten by snakes is low.

“This is due to snakes being naturally shy animals, their first form of defence being to move away from the danger .”

Ms McTaggart noted a knife was found on the ground next to Mr Fish when he was discovered.

“It is possible that Mr Fish may have seen the snake near hi squad bike and was trying to kill it before it bit him, or alternatively, he may have tried to use the knife upon the snake after it had bitten him,” she said.

She said the availability of antivenom and effective pressure bandages meant the risk of death from snake bites to members of the public was extremely low.

On January 28 this year, Mr Fish was working on his property, using a quad bike and accompanied by his dog, Mac.

It appears he encountered the snake after getting off his vehicle to open and close a gate.

The alarm was raised after Mac returned to the residence alone.

Mr Fish was still conscious when found.

A neighbour also arrived and told investigators Mr Fish was gripping a large black snake with his hands. One hand had turned black and Mr Fish said he had also been bitten on the leg.

He was taken for treatment but died two days later.