‘Traumatised, heart-wrenching': Laos methanol poisoning victim speaks out
In November 2024 six people died after drinking alcohol suspected to be contaminated with methanol. Two of those were 19-year old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles.
Bethany Clarke from the UK was one of the lucky survivors of the poisoning however her childhood best friend Simone White – who Ms Clarke was travelling with at the time – was not so fortunate. Now she's speaking out on the issue in an attempt to raise awareness.
'In November 2024, my childhood best friend Simone White, tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Laos. After we unknowingly consumed drinks laced with methanol in our hostel bar, Simone suffered irreversible brain damage,' she said.
'Simone's mother then had to make the heart-wrenching decision to turn off her life support. Five other travellers including Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, James Louis Hutson, 57, Bianca Jones, 19 and Holly Bowles, 19 died after drinking the same drinks provided by the hostel and other travellers have become blind and many others have been left traumatised by their experiences.'
The poisoning occurred at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng Laos, an investigation by the Laotian government resulted in the subsequent arrest of 11 staff members including its manager.
'Methanol poisoning is a growing yet preventable problem in many countries, particularly in regions where alcohol is unregulated,' Ms Clarke said.
'Methanol can be present in high concentrations within counterfeit alcohol and can result in severe health issues, including seizures, blindness and even death. Travellers, who are often unaware of these dangers, are putting themselves at risk when drinking cocktails and other alcoholic drinks overseas.'
'Airports are crucial points of information that can provide warnings for millions of international travellers. Despite the pressing need, there is a lack of visible warnings and educational materials about methanol poisoning in airports around the world.'
Ms Clarke is proposing airports display clearly visible signs, distribute leaflets and have mandatory guidance counters with information on methanol poisoning risk.
'These measures can greatly reduce the risk and offer a safer travelling experience for all.
'No one should have to go through the pain and loss we've experienced losing Simone.'
The hostel has come under fire recently after a listing for 'Vang Vieng Central Backpaper Hostel' appeared on TripAdvisor and Agoda using the same address.
The venue has remained closed since the poisoning and is under construction at the moment however TripAdvisor told the BBC that it had received a request to change the name of the hostel on the platform.
A spokesman said it had not received proof of a change in ownership, so previous reviews would remain visible on the listing.
Ms Clarke's petition is live on Change.org and is available to sign here.
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Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
‘No one should have to suffer like Simone': Survivor of Laos methanol tragedy calls for sweeping safety measures in airports
A British woman who narrowly survived a lethal methanol poisoning incident in Laos last year has spoken publicly for the first time, calling on authorities around the globe to roll out airport safety campaigns to prevent similar tragedies. Bethany Clarke, who had been travelling through Southeast Asia in late 2024, was among a group of international backpackers who unknowingly consumed methanol-laced alcohol at a hostel bar in the Laos tourist hotspot of Vang Vieng. Tragically, her best friend and travel companion, Simone White, was one of six people who died as a result of the poisoning. 'In November 2024, my childhood best friend Simone White, tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Laos. After we unknowingly consumed drinks laced with methanol in our hostel bar, Simone suffered irreversible brain damage,' Ms Clarke said. Ms White's mother was forced to make the devastating decision to switch off her daughter's life support following the incident. The poisoning, which took place at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, left a string of victims in its wake. Among the deceased were Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both aged 19, as well as other holidaymakers from around the world including Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and James Louis Hutson, 57. Others suffered severe consequences, with some losing their sight and many left traumatised by the events. Following an investigation by Laotian authorities, 11 staff members, including the hostel's manager, were arrested in connection with the incident. The hostel, though now closed and under renovation, recently appeared on travel sites under a different name - 'Vang Vieng Central Backpaper Hostel' - but with the same address. TripAdvisor told the BBC it had received a request to change the venue's name but said no proof of a change in ownership had been provided, meaning historical reviews would remain publicly visible. Ms Clarke, determined to prevent future deaths, is lobbying for stricter awareness measures in international airports, including high-visibility signs, leaflets, and staffed guidance points warning travellers of methanol dangers in certain regions. 'Methanol poisoning is a growing yet preventable problem in many countries, particularly in regions where alcohol is unregulated,' she said. 'Methanol can be present in high concentrations within counterfeit alcohol and can result in severe health issues, including seizures, blindness and even death. 'Travellers, who are often unaware of these dangers, are putting themselves at risk when drinking cocktails and other alcoholic drinks overseas.' 'These measures can greatly reduce the risk and offer a safer travelling experience for all. No one should have to go through the pain and loss we've experienced losing Simone.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
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Laos drink poisoning victim's plea
A survivor of the Laos methanol poisoning in late 2024 is speaking out on the harrowing experience, campaigning for airports worldwide to introduce new protective measures against the deadly phenomenon. In November 2024 six people died after drinking alcohol suspected to be contaminated with methanol. Two of those were 19-year old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles. Bethany Clarke from the UK was one of the lucky survivors of the poisoning however her childhood best friend Simone White – who Ms Clarke was travelling with at the time – was not so fortunate. Now she's speaking out on the issue in an attempt to raise awareness. 'In November 2024, my childhood best friend Simone White, tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Laos. After we unknowingly consumed drinks laced with methanol in our hostel bar, Simone suffered irreversible brain damage,' she said. Bethany Clarke who lost her best friend Simone White to methanol poisoning while on holiday together in Laos is calling for more education on the dangers of bootleg alcohol. Picture Lachie Millard Credit: News Corp Australia 'Simone's mother then had to make the heart-wrenching decision to turn off her life support. Five other travellers including Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, James Louis Hutson, 57, Bianca Jones, 19 and Holly Bowles, 19 died after drinking the same drinks provided by the hostel and other travellers have become blind and many others have been left traumatised by their experiences.' The poisoning occurred at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng Laos, an investigation by the Laotian government resulted in the subsequent arrest of 11 staff members including its manager. 'Methanol poisoning is a growing yet preventable problem in many countries, particularly in regions where alcohol is unregulated,' Ms Clarke said. 'Methanol can be present in high concentrations within counterfeit alcohol and can result in severe health issues, including seizures, blindness and even death. Travellers, who are often unaware of these dangers, are putting themselves at risk when drinking cocktails and other alcoholic drinks overseas.' 'Airports are crucial points of information that can provide warnings for millions of international travellers. Despite the pressing need, there is a lack of visible warnings and educational materials about methanol poisoning in airports around the world.' Ms Clarke is proposing airports display clearly visible signs, distribute leaflets and have mandatory guidance counters with information on methanol poisoning risk. 'These measures can greatly reduce the risk and offer a safer travelling experience for all. 'No one should have to go through the pain and loss we've experienced losing Simone.' The hostel has come under fire recently after a listing for 'Vang Vieng Central Backpaper Hostel' appeared on TripAdvisor and Agoda using the same address. The venue has remained closed since the poisoning and is under construction at the moment however TripAdvisor told the BBC that it had received a request to change the name of the hostel on the platform. A spokesman said it had not received proof of a change in ownership, so previous reviews would remain visible on the listing. Ms Clarke's petition is live on and is available to sign here.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
‘Traumatised, heart-wrenching': Laos methanol poisoning victim speaks out
A survivor of the Laos methanol poisoning in late 2024 is speaking out on the harrowing experience, campaigning for airports worldwide to introduce new protective measures against the deadly phenomenon. In November 2024 six people died after drinking alcohol suspected to be contaminated with methanol. Two of those were 19-year old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles. Bethany Clarke from the UK was one of the lucky survivors of the poisoning however her childhood best friend Simone White – who Ms Clarke was travelling with at the time – was not so fortunate. Now she's speaking out on the issue in an attempt to raise awareness. 'In November 2024, my childhood best friend Simone White, tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Laos. After we unknowingly consumed drinks laced with methanol in our hostel bar, Simone suffered irreversible brain damage,' she said. 'Simone's mother then had to make the heart-wrenching decision to turn off her life support. Five other travellers including Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, James Louis Hutson, 57, Bianca Jones, 19 and Holly Bowles, 19 died after drinking the same drinks provided by the hostel and other travellers have become blind and many others have been left traumatised by their experiences.' The poisoning occurred at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng Laos, an investigation by the Laotian government resulted in the subsequent arrest of 11 staff members including its manager. 'Methanol poisoning is a growing yet preventable problem in many countries, particularly in regions where alcohol is unregulated,' Ms Clarke said. 'Methanol can be present in high concentrations within counterfeit alcohol and can result in severe health issues, including seizures, blindness and even death. Travellers, who are often unaware of these dangers, are putting themselves at risk when drinking cocktails and other alcoholic drinks overseas.' 'Airports are crucial points of information that can provide warnings for millions of international travellers. Despite the pressing need, there is a lack of visible warnings and educational materials about methanol poisoning in airports around the world.' Ms Clarke is proposing airports display clearly visible signs, distribute leaflets and have mandatory guidance counters with information on methanol poisoning risk. 'These measures can greatly reduce the risk and offer a safer travelling experience for all. 'No one should have to go through the pain and loss we've experienced losing Simone.' The hostel has come under fire recently after a listing for 'Vang Vieng Central Backpaper Hostel' appeared on TripAdvisor and Agoda using the same address. The venue has remained closed since the poisoning and is under construction at the moment however TripAdvisor told the BBC that it had received a request to change the name of the hostel on the platform. A spokesman said it had not received proof of a change in ownership, so previous reviews would remain visible on the listing. Ms Clarke's petition is live on and is available to sign here.
