Man in coma after eating deadly mushroom dish ‘holds key to what happened’

15 August 2023 , 15:28

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Ian Wilkinson is fighting for his life in hospital following the poisonous meal (Image: Nine)

A pastor who is in a coma after eating a deadly mushroom dish is "likely" to wake up and could hold vital information behind the poisonous meal, according to reports.

Ian Wilkinson is the sole survivor of a poisoned beef Wellington dinner disaster which took place at Erin Patterson's home in Leongatha, Australia on July 29.

He is said to have attended the meal to help facilitate a reconciliation between Erin and her estranged husband Simon Patterson, who reportedly dropped out last minute.

The pastor was joined by his wife Heather and her sister Gail and her husband Don Patterson, who all sadly died after consuming the dish. Ian is now believed to need a liver transplant and could have endured severe damage to his kidneys.

According to a source, he only survived because he was swiftly taken to a hospital with a background in treatment for poisonings. Mr Wilkinson is expected to need an urgent liver transplant and likely also suffered major damage to his kidneys. He remains under care at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Gail and Don Patterson sadly died days later (Nine)

The source told Daily Mail Australia: "I suspect he's going to come out of this because if they thought he was that unwell and they just needed the best intensive care, I reckon he'd be at The Alfred. He'll probably get a transplant. There's a chance he's already had one, but no-one will tell you that because it could identify the donor." He added that transplant organs are not usually offered unless there is certainty that the patient will wake up. He continued: "You don't want to waste one. You're not going to give one to someone who is odds-on not to make it."

Erin Patterson prepared the dish which varied of two different mushrooms, which she had also eaten herself. In a recent statement, she said she allowed guests to select their own plates before she grabbed the last one. The mum revealed that she was given a "liver protective drug" after suffering from stomach pains and diarrhoea.

Erin has denied wrongdoing following the deaths

She recently admitted that she had lied to the police about how long ago she had dumped a food dehydrator at a rubbish tip. The 48-year-old said she made the move after her ex Simon accused her of poisoning his parents Gail and Don Patterson. Erin said: "I am now wanting to clear up the record because I have become extremely stressed and overwhelmed by the deaths of my loved ones. I am hoping this statement might help in some way."

She added: "I believe if people understood the background more, they would not be so quick to rush to judgement. I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones. I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved."

Monica Charsley