Jerromy Brookes: Major update after hero dad is killed by a brown snake while removing it from a childcare centre

A workplace safety investigation is underway at the daycare where a father-of-three was tragically killed while trying to remove a brown snake.

Jerromy Brookes, 47, suffered multiple bites to his left arm at Green Leaves Early Learning Center in Townsville about 3pm on Tuesday and went into cardiac arrest before paramedics arrived.

He was taken to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.

Workplace health and safety Queensland (WHSQ) is currently investigating the incident, but is unable to provide comment as the investigation is ongoing.

Mr Brookes was honored for his courage, but some people question why he tried to remove the snake and at whose request. He was not a trained snake handler or remover.

The community is now coming together to support the father’s hard-working family.

“Honour to all, let’s pay tribute to Jerromy Brookes who tragically died on Tuesday following a snake bite at a daycare in Deeragun, Townsville,” Mark Archer said to promote a GoFundMe appeal for Mr Brookes’ family.

“In fact, this brave man may have saved children’s lives by removing this oriental brown color.”

“This man is our hero. Let’s help the family who just lost their hero. You can’t put a price on life, but let’s come together. 1000 of us, let’s come together.

After being bitten, but before showing serious symptoms, Mr Brookes managed to drive home to tell his wife, with the snake still in a bag.

Queensland Ambulance Service Townsville District Acting Director Paula Marten said Mr Brookes’ wife desperately tried to save his life.

She performed CPR until paramedics arrived when he fell unconscious after trying to stem the flow of venom by bandaging his arm.

“She immediately immobilized the limb and applied pressure bandages, then the symptoms presented themselves and that’s when his wife contacted triple 0,” she said.

Ms Marten said Ms Brookes “absolutely” responded appropriately.

“If you are unfamiliar with snakes, treat them all as if they were venomous: contact triple-0 and follow basic first aid measures,” she said.

Mr Brookes was a father of three, grandfather and owner of a local aquarium maintenance business, who his neighbors described as a “lovely” man.

A University of Melbourne study found that 23 of 35 snakebite deaths in Australia between 2000 and 2016 were caused by brown snakes.

Most people who die from snake bites in Australia are men and are bitten during the hottest months of the year, the study found.

The Eastern Brown is a medium-sized snake with a slim to moderate build and a rather small head.

They are known to prefer forests, scrubland and savannah grasslands and are common throughout eastern and south-eastern Australia.

Eastern brown snakes are most active in spring and fall.