Woman dies after suspected mushroom poisoning at health retreat
A 53-year-old woman has died and two others have been rushed to hospital after allegedly ingesting poisonous mushrooms while at a holistic wellness retreat.
Rachael Dixon became violently ill on Saturday night after she allegedly crushed up mushrooms and consumed them in a drink.
Dixon and her two friends were at the Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre, an "alternative health retreat" in Clunes, near Ballarat, when the incident occurred.
An ambulance was called after reports she was in cardiac arrest and not breathing, and despite best efforts by paramedics, she died at the scene just after 12am.
Her two friend were also rushed to hospital, but were released days later.
Police are investigating her sudden death, and are expected to look into if the drink contained 'magic' mushrooms, which contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin.
Dixon's son Matthew paid tribute to his mother on Facebook, writing, "To the most loving, most caring person I've ever known can't thank you enough for everything you ever did for me and all the support you gave me."
"Words can't begin to describe how much I will miss you, wish I could give you one last hug."
Soul Barn has remained closed since the incident as local business owners and residents said the incident was "confronting" and "devastating".
The death comes after Victorian authorities warned residents earlier this month that poisonous mushrooms were growing across the state.
“Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria,” acting chief health officer Evelyn Wong said.
“There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.”
Image credits: Facebook