Third person dies from methanol poisoning in Laos as Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles fight for life
A third person has died from a mass drink poisoning in Laos that claimed the lives of two Danish women and left two Melbourne teens fighting for life.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An American man has become the third person to have died after a mass drink poisoning in Laos that claimed the lives of two Danish women and left Melbourne teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones fighting for their lives.
The US State Department on Thursday confirmed the death of one of its citizens in Vang Vieng, a tourist town about 130km from the Laos capital of Vientiane.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and providing consular assistance,” a spokesman for the US State Department said, adding that responsibility for investigating the tragedy rested with local authorities.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to their family on their loss ... Out of respect to the families during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”
At least 14 people became seriously ill in the party town last week after drinking spirits believed to spiked with methanol.
A British lawyer has been identified as one of at least 14 travellers who have been caught up in the suspected mass poisoning in Laos last week.
Simone White, 28, was among a group of six British backpackers who were rushed to hospital in the popular tourist town after consuming methanol-laced drinks, according to local UK media.
Friend Bethany Clarke, who was holidaying with Ms White, issued an urgent warning online to travellers in the area after she and her friends became unwell.
“Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth it,” she wrote in a social media post.
“Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”
It comes as Bianca Jones’ family say they are “living every parent’s nightmare” as they keep a constant vigil by their daughter’s hospital bed.
Bianca Jones’ parents told the Herald Sun they had been “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of well wishes since news broke of the horror drink spiking in Laos.
“Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,” they said.
“This is every parent’s nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through.
“We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.”
The family said there was no update on Ms Jones’ condition.
Ms Jones’ friend Holly Bowles, who was also poisoned by methanol, remained on life support on Wednesday.
Speaking outside Bangkok Hospital, Ms Bowles’ father Shaun Bowles said his family were spending as much time as they could with her.
“Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, she’s on life support,” he said.
“We would just like to thank everyone from back home for all their support and love that we are receiving.
“We would also like for people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.”
Football teammates and friends of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles will gather in private vigils over the coming days.
The 19-year-olds were poisoned when they consumed methanol-laced drinks on a “dream getaway” in Laos.
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were on a four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng in Southeast Asia.
On Wednesday, the pair remained on life support in separate hospitals in Bangkok and Udon Thani with their families by their side.
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles graduated from Mentone Girls’ Grammar and Beaumaris Secondary College last year.
They were both heavily involved in the Beaumaris Football Club.
In a statement, club president Nick Heath said the girls were “cherished and highly respected members” of the community.
“Both girls progressed through our junior program with Holly extending her love for the game to playing senior football this year in the highly regarded VAFA Women’s B Grade competition,” he said.
“Both girls have achieved rarefied air by playing in BFC premiership teams, firstly together in 2022, with Holly adding another premiership in 2023 by being part of the coveted U18 Division 1 Girls Grand Final winning team.”
Mr Heath said the girls’ teammates were “struggling” to come to terms with the tragedy.
“The Beaumaris Football Club extends its love, best wishes and unconditional support to Holly and Bianca in their hour of need,” he said.
“Our heartfelt thoughts are also with their parents Samantha and Shaun Bowles, Michelle and Mark Jones, as well as their extended families and friends.
“The situation that occurred whilst both girls were travelling in Southeast Asia is tragic and distressing.
“Now more than ever, the wider Sharks Community needs to lean on each other for both comfort and support.”
Mr Heath told the Herald Sun the club would gather for the girls over the next few days.
Two Danish women, aged about 20, died last week after inadvertently consuming the liquid.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can confirm that two Danish citizens have passed away in Laos,” the Danish office said in a statement provided to the media.
“For reasons of confidentiality in personal matters the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no further comments”.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said one of its citizens may also be a victim of the mass poisoning.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it was also supporting a number of British nationals caught up in the incident.
A FCDO spokesperson said: “We are providing consular assistance to British nationals and their families and are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Laos.”
Man drowns at Balnarring Beach in Boxing Day tragedy
A man has died after being pulled from waters off Balnarring Beach, while another man is fighting for his life after an incident in Bright as Victorians took to the water in the extreme heat.
‘Act immediately to survive’: Grampians towns evacuated, ‘dangerous’ afternoon conditions to come
Mafeking residents have been told it is now too dangerous to leave and urged to take shelter as a matter of survival as firefighters battle an “uncontrollable” bushfire tearing through the Grampians.