Methanol deaths in Laos: British tourist reveals horrifying details of alcohol nightmare before Australian teenagers die

Tributes continue to be paid to two Australian women who died in a suspected mass methanol poisoning as another tourist detailed her horrific ordeal at a Laotian hostel.

Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles, 19, died on Friday in a Bangkok hospital, a day after her best friend Bianca Jones, also 19, died at another hospital in the Thai capital.

The girls, from Beaumaris in Melbourne’s south-east, were on holiday in Laos last week when they fell ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.

Both girls have been active with Beaumaris Football Club, which on Saturday displayed a tribute to the couple, showing ribbons of blue and yellow, the club’s colours, tied to a sign at their home stadium.

“Come join us in turning Beaumaris Blue & Yellow into a memory of both girls gone too soon and in support of their heartbroken parents,” the club wrote on Instagram after a “private meeting” of players and coaches on Friday night.

Ms Bowles’ parents confirmed her death on Friday, saying they had always been incredibly proud of their daughter, who was “now at peace”.

“We take solace and comfort in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” their statement said.

“Holly lived her best life, traveling around Southeast Asia, meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.”

Ms Bowles and Ms Jones did not leave their room at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng after visiting the Jaidee bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13 before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.

Thai authorities confirmed that Ms Jones died from “cerebral swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her body”.

The manager and owner of the hostel where the two young women lived were detained by Laotian police.

A British tourist has since told her story of being poisoned at the same bar that two young Australians visited, revealing harrowing details of the ordeal.

The young woman, who did not want to be named, told the Herald Sun she had been drinking at the Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 9, just two days before the Australian couple.

She became seriously ill after drinking just two “free vodkas” at the hostel, and then went temporarily blind and vomited the next day with a resting heart rate of 170 beats per minute.

Both girls were heavily involved with Beaumaris Football Club. Credit: SUPPLIED/PR-IMAGE

The young woman sought help at a local hospital after her boyfriend’s pleas, where she was given an IV drip and later discharged with anti-nausea medication.

“I just thought I was hungover, I was walking between my room and the toilet all day, I was just throwing up,” she said.

Although the horrific ordeal is over for the young woman, she said she feels “terrible” for the two Australian women and their families.

So far, six deaths have been linked to suspected methanol poisoning, including two Australians, Briton Simone White, 28, American James Louis Hutson, 57, and Danes Anne-Sophie Orkield Kooyman, 20, and Freya. Wennerwald Sorensen, 21 years old.

It is assumed that all the injured tourists consumed drinks with added methanol.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a Laotian police document details that the American victim was found dead in his dorm room next to two empty bottles of vodka, while both Danes were found unconscious on the bathroom floor.

Authorities said in the report that the Nana Backpacker Hostel remained in business for nine days after Hutson was discovered.

In an official statement issued on Saturday, the Laotian government said it was “deeply saddened by the deaths” of visitors to the country.

“The Government of Lao PDR is conducting an investigation to determine the causes of the incident and bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

“The Government of Lao PDR reiterates that it always attaches great importance and attention to the safety of both domestic and foreign tourists.”

The Australian government has updated its advice for tourists to Laos, urging residents to be aware of the potential risks of alcoholic beverages, including cocktails.

“Symptoms of methanol poisoning can be similar to excessive alcohol consumption. However, they are usually stronger,” says advice on the SmartTraveller website.

“Symptoms of methanol poisoning include fatigue, headaches, nausea (and) vision problems.”

with AAP

Methanol deaths in Laos: British tourist reveals horrifying details of alcohol nightmare before Australian teenagers die

Archives

Categories