Latest news with #BethanyClarke
STV News
12-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Victim of Laos alcohol poisoning warns holidaymakers of dangers
Bethany Clarke, a survivor of alcohol poisoning, has joined calls urging holidaymakers to be aware of the dangers of counterfeit and contaminated drinks. In 2024, a British woman, Simone White, and four other tourists died in Laos after suspected methanol poisoning. Several others, including Ms Clarke, were taken to hospital. In a renewed effort to raise awareness of the harms of laced drinks, Ms Clarke told ITV News: 'You assume that you're getting the brand you think you're getting, but unfortunately they can just refill with something completely different. 'The alcohol industry is not regulated in a lot of countries.' Ms Clarke has started a petition calling for new measures to raise awareness in schools and airports over the dangers of methanol poisoning. Ms Clarke shared her tips on how to spot the symptoms of methanol poisoning It comes as a group of MPs wants stronger warnings from the government and the travel industry. Liberal Democrat MP Tom Morrison is one of 20 MPs now demanding stronger warnings about the potentially lethal risks of bootleg booze on holiday. He told ITV News: 'There aren't enough warnings. The government has some advice on its website, but it's not prominent enough. 'We're not teaching children about this at schools, and I think the travel industry could do a lot more.' There are official counterfeit alcohol warnings for travellers to the following countries: Turkey Thailand Vietnam Costa Rica Cambodia Fiji Indonesia Laos The Foreign Office warns that symptoms may take up to 48 hours to appear. It says: 'If you're feeling very drunk, out of proportion to how much you've had, get help'. ITV News asked the travel agents association whether it could do more to get warnings out. Emma Brennan of ABTA told us, 'We do have specific information on methanol on our website, but we also know it's really important that people read the official information from the government. 'Our members sell organised travel, a lot of people who are going to these countries affected where this is an issue, are actually backpacking.' Ms White lost her life unaware of the risks – her friends and family want to make sure there's far more awareness in future. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
ITV News
11-07-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Victim of Laos alcohol poisoning warns holidaymakers about dangers of counterfeit drinks
Bethany Clarke, a survivor of alcohol poisoning, has joined calls urging holidaymakers to be aware of the dangers of counterfeit and contaminated drinks. In 2024, a British woman, Simone White, and four other tourists died in Laos after suspected methanol poisoning. Several others, including Ms Clarke, were taken to hospital. In a renewed effort to raise awareness of the harms of laced drinks, Ms Clarke told ITV News: 'You assume that you're getting the brand you think you're getting, but unfortunately they can just refill with something completely different. "The alcohol industry is not regulated in a lot of countries." It comes as a group of MPs wants stronger warnings from the government and the travel industry. Liberal Democrat MP Tom Morrison is one of 20 MPs now demanding stronger warnings about the potentially lethal risks of bootleg booze on holiday. He told ITV News: 'There aren't enough warnings. The government has some advice on its website, but it's not prominent enough. "We're not teaching children about this at schools, and I think the travel industry could do a lot more.' There are official counterfeit alcohol warnings for travellers to the following countries: Turkey Thailand Vietnam Costa Rica Cambodia Fiji Indonesia Laos The Foreign Office warns that symptoms may take up to 48 hours to appear. It says: 'If you're feeling very drunk, out of proportion to how much you've had, get help'. ITV News asked the travel agents association whether it could do more to get warnings out. Emma Brennan of ABTA told us, 'We do have specific information on methanol on our website, but we also know it's really important that people read the official information from the government. "Our members sell organised travel, a lot of people who are going to these countries affected where this is an issue, are actually backpacking." Ms White lost her life unaware of the risks - her friends and family want to make sure there's far more awareness in future.
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Health
- 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.
South China Morning Post
22-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
British survivor of Laos methanol poisoning speaks out after watching friend die
British national Bethany Clarke still remembers that day in Vang Vieng, Laos – tubing down the river with friends, followed by a sunset happy hour at the Nana Backpackers Hostel. It had all the hallmarks of a classic backpacker afternoon. The vodka and whisky shots were free. The cost would come later. It was November 12, 2024. The next morning, Clarke and her two companions – childhood friend Simone White and a male friend – set out early for a kayaking trip they had planned the day before. But instead of excitement, Clarke felt unusually drained. 'I just felt sick and we were lying flat on our backs in the kayaks looking at the sky. My brain wasn't functioning. I didn't feel like it was a hangover, but I couldn't work out why. It didn't make sense,' Clarke told This Week in Asia. It was the beginning of a nightmare that would end in a hospital bed in Vientiane, with Clarke watching her best friend die from methanol poisoning – a preventable tragedy that, experts say, continues to result from periodic outbreaks of contaminated alcohol across Southeast Asia and claims hundreds of lives worldwide each year. Shots being served at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng on November 12, last year. Photo: Facebook/Bethany Clarke White, a 28-year-old lawyer from the UK , had also felt unwell that morning. Still groggy and confused, the group endured a torturous bus ride to the Laotian capital, first to visit a medical clinic before being referred to a larger hospital, as White's condition quickly deteriorated.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Outrage as backpackers hostel where Aussie teens died plans to reopen: 'They should be banned'
The survivor of a lethal suspected methanol poisoning at a Laos hostel, which killed two Melbourne teenage girls, has slammed plans for the venue to reopen. Best friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng when they became sick after drinking at the bar in November. The 19-year-olds were among six tourists who died after suffering from suspected methanol poisoning. The Herald Sun published photos on Saturday that suggested the venue, which has been closed since the incident, was planning to reopen. The images, taken this week, showed new paintwork and repairs, including a green trim on the windows of the upper floors. There is a banner at the entrance which reads 'VangVieng Central Backpackers Hostel', implying there has been a change of name. British 28-year-old Bethany Clarke survived the alleged poisoning which killed her friend Simone White. She has shared her outrage that the hostel could reopen, saying: 'This site should be a memorial, I don't want to see anyone staying there.' Photos of the Nana Backpackers Hostel from this week suggest it has been rebranded, with new paintwork and a change of name 'Vang Vieng Central Backpackers Hostel' Advertisements for the newly-named hostel have appeared on the travel sites TripAdvisor and Agoda. Among the photos are images showing the same bar where the tragic incident occurred, and the pool can be seen in the gallery of one listing. 'It's completely unbelievable, they shouldn't be allowed to advertise on TripAdvisor and Agoda, they should be banned,' Ms Clarke said. 'When you go on to the site Vang Vieng Central Backpackers you can see the pool at Nanas, so it appears they are linked.' There are currently no available dates listed on the advertisements of either travel website. Asked about a potential reopening, a spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were working to avoid repeat incidents. 'The Australian Government will continue to do everything possible to assist Holly and Bianca's families, and to reduce the risks of a tragedy like this happening again,' the spokesperson said. 'Our officials remain engaged with Laos authorities to reinforce our expectations for a transparent and thorough investigation.' Adverts on travel websites have included photos of the hostel bar where the suspected methanol poisoning occurred, but with the new name for the venue One TripAdvisor gallery photo for Vang Vieng Central Backpackers Hostel clearly shows the pool of Nanas Backpackers The Laos Government said it would conduct an investigation into the cause of the Novemeber incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21, and American James Hutson, 57, also died in the same incident. Eight men aged between 23 and 47 were taken into custody following arrests by police on November 25 as part of an investigation into the suspected poisonings. Among those arrested by Vang Vieng police were general staff and managers. There was no suggestion at the time that those detained were responsible for the tourists' deaths. A further five people, who were linked to the Tiger distillery, including the manufacturer of the drinks served, were also taken in for questioning. In February, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told federal parliament that authorities in Laos declined the offer of assistance from Australian Federal Police in its investigation of the incident. He vowed that Australian authorities wouldn't drop the matter. 'I would want to assure the families of Bianca and Holly that we remain in contact with the Laos authorities and that the offer of assistance is being consistently offered,' he said. The teens' families said in a joint statement they were 'extremely disappointed' by the lack of updates. 'As the Laos government rejects any support from the AFP our confidence in accountability and justice for everyone affected remains unanswered,' it said.
