Queensland teenager, 16, who died from deadly snake bite ‘did not know he was bitten’

The family of a teenager bitten by a snake in Queensland has made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support.

Beau Horan, 16, was bitten by a snake at his home near Gladstone on Monday and died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

“It is with overwhelming sadness that we share the loss of 16-year-old Beau Horan who, after being bitten by a snake, has tragically passed away, despite the urgent medical care he received and efforts to save him,” family friend Shaun Connolly said.

“Beau was a vibrant, compassionate, loving young man with so much to live for, (and) with a bright future ahead of him.”

Connolly said his family believed Horan was initially unaware he had been bitten on the foot by a deadly eastern brown snake, he told Yahoo News.

“By the time they found him collapsed, they called an ambulance and it was only then they realised he’d been bitten by a snake,” he said.

“We don’t know too much (about) what the circumstances were, but we think he wasn’t aware he had been bitten.”

Horan was taken to Gladstone Hospital before being airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

“His passing has left an indescribable emptiness in our hearts and the family,” Connolly said on a GoFundMe set up to support Horan’s family.

“As we try to process this devastating loss, we are reaching out to help Beau’s mum, Bek Eddy, to cover the unexpected medical and funeral costs.

“We are forever grateful for your love, prayers, and generosity. Thank you for honouring in memory of Beau’s life with us.”