‘The best of us’: Tributes flow for Holly Bowles, 19, after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos

The father of Holly Bowles confirmed on Friday that the Melbourne teenager had died in a Thai hospital after a suspected methanol poisoning incident while holidaying in Laos.

Bowles died one day after her best friend and travel companion Bianca Jones, who had been treated in a different Thai hospital.

The 19-year-olds fell ill after a night out in the Laos tourist town of Vang Vieng last week.

After being discovered seriously unwell in their hostel, they were sent to separate hospitals in Thailand.

“It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” her father, Shaun Bowles, told Nine News.

He said his daughter was living her best life travelling through South-East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.

Shaun Bowles, father of Holly, outside the hospital in Bangkok on Wednesday,Credit: Nine News

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

Her younger brother, James Bowles, posted a tribute to Instagram on Friday.

James Bowles posted to Instagram on Friday evening.

“Fly high my beautiful older sister, you’re always in my heart,” he wrote above a picture of Bowles.

The 19-year-old was a two-time premiership player at Beaumaris Football Club, having progressed through the club’s juniors program.

President Nick Heath said both Bowles and Jones, who also played at the club, were known for their generosity of spirit and “innate ability to unite people”.

Bowles’ and Jones’ premiership flag from 2022 is flying at half-mast at the club.

Members of the women’s team have started tying blue and yellow ribbons – the club’s colours – around their homes and throughout our community.

“All of you are invited to do the same,” Heath said.

In a touching tribute, the number 32 jersey Bowles wore in her first senior season this year will be retired.

“Two beautiful lives lost, both with so much potential, love and spirit, leaves us both numb and without words,” Heath said.

“The Beaumaris community is a tight-knit one, and we will continue to feel this loss for some time to come.”

Bowles was a popular staff member at Frank’s cafe in Cheltenham, where she worked for 2½ years while saving up for her dream trip.

Harry Butler, the owner of Frank’s, described the 19-year-old as “the best of us”.

“She was sweet, incredibly kind, reliable, funny, diligent, hardworking and extremely capable. Believe me when I say that I couldn’t fault her,” Butler wrote in a Facebook post.

“I’m just so thankful you walked through our door with a resume, kid. I’ll never forget you mate.”

Local state MP Brad Rowswell expressed his condolences in an Instagram post on Saturday. “We remain a heartbroken community, we mourn Holly’s death and we stand ready to support those closest to Holly and Bianca.”

Both Bowles and Jones lived and worked in Rowswell’s seat of Sandringham.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to Bowles, saying “this should have been a trip filled with joy and wonderful memories – it is beyond sad that is it not to be”.

“My thoughts and my deepest sympathies are with her family and her friends. I am sure all Australians are thinking of Holly and her best friend Bianca Jones who tragically passed away yesterday.”

Albanese said the government would continue to provide support to the teens’ families and local authorities.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

“Just yesterday, Holly lost her best friend, Bianca Jones. I know tonight all Australians will be holding both families in our hearts. The Australian government will continue to support Holly and Bianca’s families, just as we will continue our efforts with local authorities on investigations into this tragedy.”

Several other foreign tourists to Vang Vieng are believed to have died from methanol poisoning in recent days, including 28-year-old British lawyer Simone White, two Danes and an American man.

At least 10 others are seriously ill after drinking spirits believed to have been laced with methanol, a cheap and deadly form of alcohol mostly found in crude or criminal brews.

On Friday, local police closed the hostel where Bowles, Jones and other travellers had been staying when they were rushed to hospital in the suspected mass poisoning incident.

With Zach Hope

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