Heartbroken father confirms teenage daughter remains on life support in Thai hospital as third person dies

An American man has died following a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos as Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones remain on life support.

Friends Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, are fighting for their lives in Thai hospitals.

An American man has died and another young woman is critically ill in Laos from a suspected mass methanol poisoning as the heartbroken father of one of two Australian teenagers ­poisoned in the incident revealed his 19-year-old daughter remained on life support in a Thai hospital.

The US State Department on Thursday confirmed the death of one of its citizens in Vang Vieng, the tourist town where two women died and 10 others became ill following a suspected mass methanol poisoning.

“We can confirm the death of a US citizen in Vang Vieng, Laos,” the US State Department said, according to the ABC. “We offer our sincerest condolences to their family on their loss.”

New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also said one of its citizems may have been a victim of the same incident.

Speaking outside a Bangkok hospital on Wednesday, Shaun Bowles issued an emotional thank you to friends and supporters asconfirmed his daughter, Holly Bowles, remained in the intensive care unit.

“We’d like to thank everyone from back home for all the support and love that we’re receiving,” he said.

Ms Bowles and her best friend Bianca Jones, 19, were on their dream getaway through Southeast Asia when they fell ill after drinking alcohol allegedly laced with methanol.

Two Danish women aged in their 20s reportedly died last week and at least 10 others are unwell following the poisoning.

Ms Jones is also fighting for her life, with her family by her side at a hospital in Udon Thani, in Thailand’s north.

On Wednesday, Ms Jones’ parents told the Herald Sun they were living “every parent’s nightmare”.

“We want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through,” they said. “We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.”

Bianca Jones is also fighting for her life in a Thai hospital. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Bowles and Ms Jones’ communities in the southeast suburbs of Melbourne have thrown their support behind the pair, including the Beaumaris Football Club, where the women played football.

“The Beaumaris Football Club extends its love, best wishes and unconditional support to Holly and Bianca in their hour of need,” club president Nick Heath wrote in a statement.

“Our heartfelt thoughts are also with their parents, Samantha and Shaun Bowles, ­Michelle and Mark Jones, as well as their extended families and friends.”

Mr Heath said the women’s teammates and friends were struggling to come to terms with the “tragic and distressing” situation. “Now more than ever, the wider Sharks community needs to lean on each other for both comfort and support,” he said.

Ms Bowles and Ms Jones were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in Laos, when they became ill last week.

The hostel’s bartender told multiple media outlets that the women were not poisoned by drinks they consumed at the hostel’s bar, with a hostel employee telling The Australian the women went out drinking at a bar in town.

On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ­issued a fresh warning for Australians travelling to Laos on its Smart Traveller website.

“Several foreign nationals, ­including Australians, have been victims in November 2024 of suspected cases of methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks,” the warning said.

“Be alert to the potential risks, particularly with spirit-based drinks including cocktails.”

An older warning on the website advised that alcohol production was less regulated in some overseas destinations, which could lead to methanol being used in the production process to lower costs.

Methanol is highly toxic and as little as one shot can be fatal.