WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT THAT LETHAL LUNCH?

A family meal turned deadly due to mushroom poisoning

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East Gippsland's tightknit community are united in grief and disbelief after three tragic deaths, apparently the result of a mass mushroom poisoning.

Homicide detectives are investigating after Korumburra locals Heather Wilkinson, 66, and Gail and Don Patterson, both 70, passed away days after attending a lunch at Erin Patterson's home.

At the time of going to press, a fourth victim, Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson, 68, remained in a critical condition in hospital awaiting a liver transplant.

The circumstances surrounding the poisonings are still being looked into but it is known that the four guests were at the same meal on July 29, which was cooked by Erin at her Leongatha home.

Erin, 48, is separated from Gail and Don's son Simon, who was set to also attend the lunch but was unable to at the last minute. Heather was Gail's sister and Ian a local pastor. All were well-known and active members of their small rural community.

Erin and Simon's two children were at the gathering but like their mum, did not appear to have eaten any of the poisoned fungi.

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The guests began developing what seemed to be food poisoning symptoms over the next 24 hours and went to local hospitals complaining of gastro symptoms, before being transferred to Melbourne's Austin Hospital.