Fears for 'absolute star' as teens fight for life in Thailand after alcohol ...
Fears for ‘absolute star’ as teens fight for life in Thailand after alcohol poisoning
A colleague of one of two Melbourne teenagers on life support in hospitals in Thailand after a suspected mass poisoning has told of their concern for the young woman described as an “absolute star” and a “bundle of joy”.
Holly Bowles and her friend, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, both 19, were on a backpacking holiday in Laos during a gap year before university when they fell ill after seemingly consuming methanol in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.
Holly Bowles (left) is critically ill after a suspected mass poisoning during a holiday in South-East Asia.Credit: Facebook
Two others, believed to be Swedish nationals, have died in the suspected drink poisoning, and at least 10 people are understood to have fallen ill, according to Nine’s Today program.
Cafe workers at Frank’s Melbourne in Cheltenham, where Bowles has been employed for 2½ years, confirmed their colleague was one of the sick Australian women.
Holly Bowles is one of two Melbourne teenagers fighting for their lives after consuming methanol in Vang Vieng, Laos.Credit: Facebook
“She’s just an absolute star. She’s a bundle of joy. To know her is to love her,” the cafe manager, who did not want to be named, told The Age.
“We’re just praying for the family. She’s just a loyal, caring sweet person.
“We value her so much as a friend as well as a colleague.”
Frank’s reopened on Tuesday morning after closing early on Monday when staff were rattled by the news of their colleague’s illness.
Bowles graduated from VCE at Beaumaris Secondary College last year and was on a gap year. She wanted to work, save money and travel, her manager at the cafe said.
A worker at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, who did not want to be named, confirmed the Australian women checked in on November 9 and went out on the evening of November 11 with a group of other young people, and returned in the early hours of the following morning.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos.
He said the women did not get out of bed or leave their room the following day, but the alarm was raised when they failed to check out as planned on the morning of November 13.
They told staff they were sick and the hostel sought medical help, the worker said.
It is believed the teens are fighting for their lives in two separate hospitals, one in Bangkok and the other in Udon Thani, Thailand. Their parents have flown to Thailand to be by their bedsides.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, blindness, blurred vision and seizures.
Since poisoning often occurs in the context of drinking alcohol, the early symptoms may go unnoticed because they may closely resemble intoxication at first. Drinking between 25 and 90 millilitres of methanol can be fatal.
The colourless substance is sometimes added to alcoholic beverages in places such as Thailand, where home-brewed spirits are widely available as a cheap alternative to ethanol (the standard alcohol in alcoholic beverages).
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Various cases of methanol poisoning have been reported overseas in recent years, prompting Australian authorities to warn of the dangers of drinking local brews.
The Smartraveller website says home brews, cocktails and even brand name alcohol can be contaminated.
“Alcohol production is less regulated in some destinations than in Australia. This can lead to methanol being used in the production process to lower costs. Methanol is highly toxic. As little as one shot can be fatal.”
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