THREE people have died and a man remains in hospital after eating poisonous mushrooms for lunch.

Cops have launched a probe as they do not know if the case is suspicious.

Four people became ill after eating mushrooms at a home in Leongatha, Australia on July 29 – around 85 miles southeast of Melbourne.

The victims have been named locally as Heather Wilkinson, 66, and her sister Gail Patterson, 70, as reported by The Age.

Gail’s husband Don Patterson, 70, died on Saturday after being rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, a pastor, is in the hospital where he is in critical condition.

The families told The South Gippsland Sentinel-Times: “The past week has been a time of shock and grief for us all. They were parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and pillars of faith within our community.”

Locals have been left stunned as news of the deaths emerged.

A shop owner told The Age: “This sort of thing doesn’t happen in our town.”

Nathan Hersey, the mayor of South Gippsland, described the situation as "shocking."

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He told 9News: "All the people who are involved are very well known in our community, which is a tight-knit community, and very well-respected and loved."

A Victoria Police spokeswoman has said: “At this time the exact circumstances are still being established and it is not known if the matter is suspicious.”

Cops have combed the home for clues as part of their probe.

Officers quizzed a woman, 48, before she was released as police investigations remain ongoing.

Health officials have launched a probe and are cooperating alongside the cops.

Officials have warned about two types of poisonous mushrooms that grow in Victoria during the cooler months.

It’s not known what type of mushroom the four people ate.

Symptoms of wild mushroom poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness.  

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