Key Takeaways:
- Max McKenzie, a 15-year-old boy with a severe nut allergy, died after accidentally ingesting walnuts and experiencing anaphylaxis.
- A Victorian coroner is investigating whether Max’s death was preventable and whether paramedics and doctors provided adequate care.
- Allergies are on the rise in Australia, with nearly one in three people having some form of allergic disease.
- The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and the National Allergy Council estimate that allergic diseases cost the Australian health system and economy $18.9 billion in 2024.
- The inquest into Max’s death has highlighted the need for improved awareness and education about allergies, as well as the importance of proper medical care in emergency situations.
Introduction to Max McKenzie’s Story
Max McKenzie was a vibrant and active teenager who loved kayaking, swimming, skiing, and performing arts. He was also a member of the cadets and had even built his own computer. However, Max had a severe allergy to nuts and carried an adrenaline injector, or EpiPen, with him at all times. On August 6, 2021, Max’s life took a tragic turn when he accidentally ingested walnuts at a relative’s house, triggering a severe allergic reaction.
The Events Leading to Max’s Death
Max began displaying signs of anaphylaxis, and his family administered his EpiPen. Paramedics arrived and gave him further adrenaline, but Max suffered a seizure and was taken to the Box Hill Hospital. At the hospital, staff performed emergency surgery to intubate him, but Max suffered a severe brain injury due to oxygen deprivation. He was transferred to the Alfred Hospital, where he died 13 days later after going into cardiac arrest. Max’s parents, Tamara and Ben McKenzie, have described feeling "completely let down" by the healthcare system and have questioned whether their son’s death was preventable.
The Rise of Allergies in Australia
Allergies are becoming increasingly common in Australia, with nearly one in three people having some form of allergic disease. This can range from mild allergies to life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and the National Allergy Council estimate that allergic diseases cost the Australian health system and economy $18.9 billion in 2024. Sarah Emery, the head of support group Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, notes that while awareness and food labeling have improved in recent years, more progress is needed to prevent tragic cases like Max’s.
The Inquest into Max’s Death
The inquest into Max’s death has heard that paramedics and doctors at the Box Hill Hospital may have provided substandard care, leading to delays in treating Max’s anaphylaxis. Lawyers for the McKenzie family have argued that Max was "robbed" of his life due to these delays, while others have suggested that the situation was more complex and that Max’s death may not have been preventable. The inquest has also highlighted the need for improved awareness and education about allergies, as well as the importance of proper medical care in emergency situations.
Expert Opinions and Testimonies
The inquest has heard from various experts, including paramedics, doctors, and allergy specialists. Some have argued that Max’s death was preventable, while others have suggested that the situation was too complex and that Max’s condition was too severe to be saved. Dr. Andrew Numa, an expert in anaphylaxis, stated that Max’s death was "potentially preventable" and that a 10-minute delay in intubating him "sealed his fate." Paramedic Tony Hucker agreed that the "best care" was not provided, but noted that the situation was rapidly evolving and that paramedics made decisions based on the information available at the time.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The coroner, David Ryan, is expected to hand down recommendations next year. Max’s parents, Tamara and Ben McKenzie, have dedicated themselves to preventing similar tragedies and have set up an organization, Live to the Max, to improve allergy education and awareness. Dr. McKenzie is also completing a PhD on anaphylaxis and asthma resuscitation and has trained thousands of health professionals globally. The inquest into Max’s death has highlighted the need for improved awareness and education about allergies, as well as the importance of proper medical care in emergency situations. As Dr. McKenzie noted, "He was going to be an asset to our society, and he deserved to live. He was talented, charismatic, and 15 years old."