Two Melbourne women on life support in hospitals in Thailand after methanol poisoning in Laos
The Melbourne teens on life support in a Thai hospital after a horror drink spiking in Laos have been identified as their families gather at their bedsides.
Victoria
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Two young Melbourne women remain on life support in Thai hospitals after a horror drink spiking in Laos.
Best friends Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, were enjoying a trip together through Southeast Asia when they fell victim to a mass poisoning which claimed the lives of two other travellers.
Ms Jones’ parents and brother rushed to be by her bedside and have asked for privacy.
Devastated colleagues at Frank’s Melbourne cafe in Cheltenham, where Ms Bowles has worked for the past two-and-a-half years, described her as an “absolute star”.
“She’s a bundle of joy — to know her is to love her,” one staffer told The Age on Tuesday.
“We’re just praying for the family. She’s just a loyal, caring sweet person.
“We value her so much as a friend as well as a colleague.”
The teenagers had been holidaying as part of a group and were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town about 130km north of Laos capital Vientiane.
It is believed the teens drank cocktails late last week that were laced with methanol. Hostel staff found them unwell in their room.
Two Swedish nationals are believed to have died, and another 10 people fell sick following the incident.
The Melbourne teenagers are being treated in separate hospitals in Bangkok and Udon Thai.
The pair were on a university break and were travelling in a group of about 10 people.
One is believed to have attended Beaumaris Secondary College, while the other went to Mentone Girls’ Grammar.
A Cheltenham cafe where one of the women worked closed its doors on Monday as staff anxiously awaited a condition update on their colleague.
A staffer at Nana Backpackers said Australian Embassy officials arrived at the hostel on Monday.
The hostel’s manager said police came to inspect their bar after the incident but the alcohol it served was “very normal”.
One traveller said on social media on Sunday that about six people in the small town were in hospital with methanol poisoning, and warned others against drinking free shots from bars.
“It’s possible that some of the vodka has been contaminated with a higher dosage of methanol than usual,” she wrote.
The hostel is known for its party vibe and offers free drinks, including vodka, whiskey and beer, according to reviews and its own Facebook page.
A recent customer, Oliver Caudwell, gave the Nana Backpacker Hostel five stars on Google three weeks ago because of the “free vodka and whiskey every night”.
He was among several reviewers to give the hostel the thumbs up for free alcohol.
He recommended playing pool with the owner, Papa, for free beers, adding a couple of beer emojis.
Mr Caudwell wrote: “Best hostel with free vodka and whiskey every night from 20-2200 (8-10pm). Has a great gym with everything you need, swimming pool and great facilities. Very comfortable bed, best hostel in Vang Vieng. Play pool game with owner (Papa) for free beers!!!”
The hostel’s own Facebook page advertised it as an “Amazing party hostel” and that it was offering “happy Halloween free happy hours vodka and whiskey 8pm to 11pm for everyone’s (sic)”.
A DFAT spokesman said it was providing consular assistance to two Australians and their families in Thailand.
“Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time,” the spokesman said.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
Methanol, which is colourless, is the simplest form of alcohol. It is closely related to ethanol, the type of alcohol normally found in beer, wine and spirits, but is a dangerous poison.
Drinking just 25-90ml of methanol can be fatal without proper medical treatment.
Many cases of blindness or death have been caused by drinking mixtures containing methanol.
According to the Methanol Institute, the clear liquid chemical is often added to alcoholic drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol in countries where taxes on legitimate alcohol might be perceived as too high.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, blindness, blurred vision and seizures.
Methanol is found in many products, and is present in fuels as a petrol additive.
It is used as an industrial solvent, as a solvent in a number of insecticides, and is found in some glass cleaners and paint strippers.
Methanol poisoning victim says it was ‘pure luck’ she survived
Methanol poisoning victim Jamie Johnson, who had to learn to walk and talk again after consuming a deadly drink during her 25th birthday trip to Bali in 2011, said she was devastated to learn about the incident.
“I feel horrible that it’s still happening. There’s a lot of awareness about it, but everyone thinks it will never happen to them,” Mrs Johnson told the Herald Sun.
“It’s awful because these Asian countries, you know, sometimes don’t believe in alcohol so they make their own, and the import tax is really high. I feel so sorry for them.”
Mrs Johnson fell critically ill while trying to board a plane with her mum home to Australia shortly after consuming Arak at a bar in Lombok.
“I was vomiting all day, I tore a hole in my esophagus that’s how much I was vomiting,” she said.
Now aged 38, the mother-of-one said it was “pure luck” that she survived, spending six days in a coma and suffering a stroke that has permanently impacted her motor skills.
“I’ve travelled a lot still. I went to Thailand but I said I’d never go back to Bali. When I went to Thailand, I’m just cautious of what I drink and where I drink,” she said.
Ms Johnson, who was eventually able to return to work as a nurse, urged unsuspecting travellers to be wary of the liquids they consume – even the venues they visit.
“It was the cheapest place we’ve ever been to,” she explained.
“You have to drink from unopened bottles, things that you open yourself, or your Duty-Free stuff. Things that you can open yourself, that, you know, are sealed, that haven’t been tampered with.
“You just don’t know where it’s coming from, because some of these people are poor and they just make their own, and that’s what happens. If it says $10 drinks all night, it’s probably not good stuff.”
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