Australia: Survivor of ‘poison’ mushroom case released from hospital | World News

The only remaining survivor of the infamous poisonous mushroom lunch has been released from hospital weeks after three others died.

Ian Wilkinson, 68, was allegedly poisoned by Erin Patterson in Leongatha, in Australia, on July 29, and had been in a coma ever since.

In a statement his family announced: ‘This milestone marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude for Ian and the entire Wilkinson family.

‘The Wilkinson family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their unwavering dedication and exceptional care that played a pivotal role in Ian’s recovery. 

‘The medical team’s expertise and compassion have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey.’

The family thanked other members of the community like those in the church and other family members for their support, reports Nine News.

The statement continued: ‘This collective kindness has been a pillar of strength for Ian and the family, reinforcing the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community.’

Erin held a lunch with Ian as well as her former in-laws Gail and Don Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, who was Ian’s wife.

Simon Patterson who is Erin’s ex-husband was meant to join the group but he pulled out last minute.

All four guests at the lunch became ill and it resulted in the deaths of Heather, Gail and Don.

While Ian was in hospital, he needed a liver transplant so that he could survive.

The three deaths were allegedly as a result of a beef wellington lunch Erin had served up to her guests that contained poisonous death cap mushrooms, police found.

Erin provided a written statement to investigators that said she was hospitalised after the lunch with bad stomach pains and diarrhoea, put on a saline drip and given a ‘liver protective drug’.

She said she ate a portion of the beef wellington herself and allowed her guests to choose their own plates.

Erin added the mushrooms were a mixture of butter mushrooms from a supermarket chain and dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store in Melbourne.

She admitted lying to police when telling them she dumped a food dehydrator at a local tip ‘a long time ago’ – which was later seized.

Erin has always denied murdering her guests and said she had ‘no reason’ to kill them.

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