Police preparing report for coroner into home-brew death

POLICE are preparing a report for the Queensland Coroner into a Stanthorpe man's death believed to been caused by consuming home-brewed spirits at the weekend.

Emergency services were called to a property on Puglisi Lane at Ballandean about 5.30am on Sunday where they found an unconscious 21 year old, who died at the scene despite first aid treatment.

Three other men believed to have also consumed what may have been a tainted batch of home-made grappa - one of whom is understood to be the brother of the 21 year old - are in a critical condition in hospital.

Two are in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Brisbane's PA Hospital, while the third is at Toowoomba Hospital.

Stanthorpe Police Senior Constable Scott Armbruster said a quantity of home brew was being analysed to determine whether it contributed to the man's death.

"It is unsure what caused the death at this stage but it would appear alcohol is certainly a contributing factor," he said.

He said police did not believe the death to be suspicious and were investigating whether the men had taken any other substances.

Snr Const Armbruster said the spirits the men were drinking before falling ill were "pretty much moonshine".

He advised others from being tempted to consume unknown substances.

"Unless you know what is in it and the strength, I would avoid touching any of it - some of this stuff you can use to run race cars," he said.

Updates to follow.



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