Sisters among three who died from deadly mushroom lunch

Three people are dead and a fourth is fighting for life in hospital after they ate poisonous wild mushrooms at a lunch with friends.

Reverend Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church in Victoria’s Gippsland region is the man fighting for life.

Wilkinson’s wife, Heather, a local teacher; her sister, Gail Patterson; and husband Don Patterson, died after eating toxic wild mushrooms at lunch with friends, according to police.

South Gippsland Mayor Nathan Hersey said it was a “really shocking situation”.

“All the people who are involved are very well known in our community, which is a tight-knit community and very well respected and loved.” Hersey said.

Police say the two couples were dining at a home in Leongatha, almost two hours south-east of Melbourne, last Saturday.

They became sick the following day and went to hospital thinking it was gastro, but their conditions deteriorated.

Ms Wilkinson, 66, and her 70-year-old sister, Gail, died during the week and Mr Patterson died last night.

Mr Wilkinson and another friend remain in hospital while other guests from the lunch have since been discharged.

Police are working to determine what happened.

The Homicide Squad raided a house in Leongatha yesterday and detectives questioned a 48 year-old local woman.

She has since been released pending further enquiries.

Mushroom expert Dr Teresa Lebel said some mushrooms can kill and warned people never to go out and collect them.

“Basically it’s a Russian roulette that may have happened,” the mycologist said.

“Other people may have been affected to some degree but not received as much of the toxin.

“For both the Cortinarius and the Amanita (mushroom) it’s a piece the size of a 10 cent coin.

“A 20 cent coin is sufficient to kill a person.”

The Victorian Health Department released a warning about death cap and yellow staining mushrooms in April, reporting a spike in the state due to cool and wet conditions.

The health department said it is investigating the incident.

“The department is aware of the situation and our investigations are ongoing,” a spokesperson told 9news.com.au.

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