'A terrible and cruel loss': Melbourne woman dies after suspected ...
‘A terrible and cruel loss’: Melbourne woman dies after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos
Bianca Jones, one of the Melbourne teenagers who suffered suspected methanol poisoning during a holiday in South-East Asia, has died in Thailand.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed her death in the House of Representatives shortly after 3pm on Thursday.
“We’ve received the very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that, tragically, Bianca Jones has lost her life,” Albanese told parliament.
“Our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends, who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”
“All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come; memories she should have carried with her in the long bright future that lay ahead of her. It is beyond sad that this was not to be.”
Jones was travelling with her best friend, Holly Bowles, when the pair fell ill after a night out in the Laos party town of Vang Vieng last week. The prime minister said Bowles was still fighting for her life in hospital.
Four people have now died and at least 10 were made seriously sick from drinking spirits believed to be laced with methanol, a cheap and deadly form of alcohol mostly found in crude or criminal brews.
Denmark’s Foreign Ministry confirmed two of its citizens, aged 19 or 20, had died after being caught up in the suspected mass drink poisoning. Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed an American man had also died in Vang Vieng.
In a short press conference, Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her “heartfelt sympathies” to Jones’ family and said drink spiking was far too common in some parts of the world. She urged parents and young Australians to discuss the risks of overseas travel.
“Please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again,” she said.
Holly Bowles (left) and Bianca Jones.
Zoe Daniel, the MP for Goldstein in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs where the women were from, was visibly emotional when she rose to speak after the prime minister in federal parliament.
“Bianca and Holly went on a holiday to South-East Asia – a rite of passage many young Australians experience,” Daniel said, her voice shaking. “And if you are to look at their holiday photos, you would see the wonderful adventure that these best friends were having together.
“They could be any of our teenage kids, embarking on life from the suburbs.”
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Jones went to school at Mentone Girls Grammar while Bowles attended Beaumaris Secondary College. Daniel mentioned the pair had casual jobs locally and played football at the Beaumaris Football Club. She offered her sympathies to Jones’ parents, Mark and Michelle, and brother Lachlan.
“And today, of course, they are suffering pain beyond measure, pain that no parent or sibling should experience.”
Daniel said Bowles’ parents, Shaun and Samantha, remained at their daughter’s bedside in Bangkok.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also offered his condolences to Jones’ family.
“This story has been shocking from the moment it was reported,” Dutton said. “We hope that there can be some comfort to the family knowing that every Australian’s heart is breaking for this tragic loss.”
In an Instagram post, the Ginger Fox Cafe in Beaumaris, where Jones once worked, said they were “truly saddened to hear about the tragic passing of our former team member Bianca.”
“Sending all the love to her family and friends in this devastating time.”
Both Melbourne women have played football for Beaumaris Football Club. On Thursday, president Nick Heath described Bowles as a “beautiful person” and told Nine News the club had offered financial support to her family. Her father was also an assistant coach at the club.
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