AN INQUEST will be held later this year into the death of a Tamworth man who died in hospital after being bitten by a snake more than two years ago.
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Brent Crough was bitten by a suspected brown snake in the backyard of his Coledale home, and died shortly after in Tamworth hospital on January 10, 2018.
Coroner Julie Soars will examine Mr Crough's death, and the actions of witnesses, the hospital and medical staff in the wake of the bite.
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He was bitten on the finger shortly before 10pm. His family rushed him to Tamworth hospital, and despite administering anti-venom and resuscitation attempts, he died within an hour.
The death was referred to the coroner, who launched an investigation into the young man's passing, which involved a post-mortem.
In a direction's hearing in Tamworth Coroner's Court on Friday morning, the family of Mr Crough were in court for the proceedings.
Counsel assisting the coroner, as well as defence barristers for Hunter New England Health and the family appeared via video link from Sydney.
The court was told the inquest had been delayed because a new coronial advocate - who helps the coroner to run the case - had been appointed after the initial one went off on long-term sick leave.
"It was the changes of advocate and then the delays over Christmas," Ms Soars detailed in court.
The court heard an extensive brief of evidence in the case had now been served on all parties.
"We're on track for the inquest," Ms Soars said.
A timetable for requisitions and for the parties to respond was proposed to "try and explore additional detail" that was being provided by experts.
The court heard the requisitions being sought by the coroner's court from experts could lead to a reduction in the number of witnesses required at the inquest and "will narrow the issues".
"I can see the witnesses have put a lot of work into their statements," Ms Soars said.
A defence barrister for Mr Crough's mother said Legal Aid had been applied for in November, last year, but had not been formally approved yet.
"We did receive a brief on her behalf early last week," he told the court.
"I've had a conference with her where we've talked about a number of issues."
The inquest is set down to run for a week in Tamworth Coroner's Court later this year.