Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from Orpington, is critically ill in hospital after allegedly consuming drinks laced with methanol while on holiday in Laos.
The incident occurred in the town of Vang Vieng, a popular destination for backpackers, where contaminated drinks served at a local bar reportedly caused the deaths of four people and left 11 others hospitalised.
Holiday Tragedy
Simone, a former student of St Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington, was among a group of travellers taken to hospital after falling ill on Tuesday night last week. Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where guests reportedly consumed free shots of local spirits.
Warnings from Friends
Bethany Clarke, a healthcare worker and friend of Simone, issued a warning to travellers through the Laos Backpacking Facebook group:
“Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital with methanol poisoning.”
Bethany urged other travellers to exercise caution, stating that the risk was not worth taking.
Victims of Methanol Poisoning
Among those who died were Bianca Jones, 19, from Melbourne, and two Danish women in their 20s. Bianca’s friend, Holly Bowles, remains on life support. An American national has also been confirmed dead.
Investigation Underway
The manager of Nana Backpacker Hostel told the Associated Press that more than 100 guests were served free shots of Lao vodka on November 12. However, the manager claimed no other reports of illness were received.
Authorities in Laos have yet to confirm the source of the contaminated drinks. Methanol, a toxic alcohol sometimes used in counterfeit or poorly regulated spirits, can cause severe illness or death if ingested.
Simone’s Condition
Simone remains “seriously” ill in hospital and Her friends and family are anxiously awaiting updates as she receives treatment.
Safety Reminder for Travellers
This tragic incident has sparked renewed warnings for travellers to be cautious when consuming alcohol abroad, particularly in regions where regulation may be inconsistent. Methanol poisoning can result in symptoms such as abdominal pain, headache, vision loss, and in severe cases, death.
The British Embassy in Laos has been made aware of the incident and is reportedly offering support to those affected. Travellers are advised to avoid unverified or locally produced spirits and to seek medical attention immediately if feeling unwell after consuming alcohol.
Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
