Melbourne teen Bianca Jones' family 'shattered' after suspected mass methanol poisoning incident in Laos
Five people have now died as a result of suspected methanol poisoning at a local bar in Vang Vieng, Laos, including the 19-year-old Melburnian.
The president of the AFL club both poisoned Australian teenagers played for in Melbourne has spoken out in the wake of 19-year-old Bianca Jones' tragic death on Thursday.
Beaumaris Football Club President Nick Heath said Bianca's family is "completely shattered" and shaken by the unimaginable loss, but have taken comfort in the fact they were able to be by her side at a Thai hospital prior to her death. "It's just taken it to another level of grief and we're all just trying to cope with at the moment," Heath told ABC News Breakfast on Friday morning.
"The good thing, if there is such a thing in this situation, all of the family were with her at the time. They embraced her and said goodbye in a way that the family would have liked to."
Heath said the girls formed part of the "Covid generation" and had only just begun to enjoy their adult lives. "[They] missed out on their social lives for a couple of years and they'd finished their schooling and both worked hard in their part-time jobs to get some money to have their dream overseas trip," he said. "And off they went, full of zest for life and quest for adventure.
"I think that's why so many people relate to this because it could happen to anybody. And that really smacks you right between the eyes. These young people deserve some social life and deserved their time in the sun, and now this happens. It's devastating."
Heath led tributes for Bianca who on Thursday died in a Thai hospital after spending over a week on life support following the suspected mass poisoning event at a popular tourist bar in Laos, alongside best friend Holly Bowles. The young woman, from the Bayside area in the city's south-east, is being remembered for her "infectious charm and tenacity", her smile, exuberance and "happy nature [which] made her a delight to be around."
Police probe Laos bar staff as fifth victim confirmed
Police are now probing staff at the Nana Backpackers where the two young Victorians were staying, demanding on Thursday to see the alcohol served on the night of the harrowing incident.
The two friends are believed to have drank first at the hostel, before heading out to the nearby Jaidee Bar on November 11. It's unclear which of the two venues the travellers were poisoned at.
According to 7News, Jaidee Bar is said by locals to have underground criminal links and it openly serves drugs including marijuana, magic mushrooms, opium and hash brownies from a menu. Locals earlier told reporters in Laos the establishment had links to methanol poisonings in the past.
Police confirmed Bianca died as a result of methanol consumption, which was detected in high quantities in her body. "The physician who examined her said the cause of death was a methanol poisoning, from fake liquor," Phattanawong Chanphon, a police official in the Thai city of Udon Thani told Reuters.
"The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain."
Bianca's death follows two Danish women in their twenties and an American who were drinking in the area at the time.
Overnight, British media confirmed lawyer Simone White, 28, from Kent, became the fifth victim of the tragedy. In a chilling twist, it also emerged her friend Bethany Clarke tried to warn others about bars in Vang Vieng, posting an "urgent" message to social media about the "free shots" they were offered.
Brit's warning before friend's death from methanol poisoning
"Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars," Bethany wrote on the Laos Backpacking Facebook group.
"Just avoid them as [it's] so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning. I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery."
While cases involving Australians are rare in Southeast Asia, there have been several examples of methanol poisoning involving Aussies in Bali in recent years, with WA man Colin Ahearn working tirelessly to raise awareness about the issue as well as providing support to people who fear they've been poisoned.
He told Yahoo News Australia the girls' hospitalisation was a sad reminder to all to have their wits about them when in countries unknown to them. "It does look exactly the same [as some of the methanol poisoning cases in Bali]," he said.
Bianca Jones dies after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, family confirm
Disturbing detail on bar menu linked to poisoning of friends Holly and Bianca
Urgent warning to travellers following suspected methanol poisoning
The unimaginable tragedy has prompted warnings from authorities at home, in the UK and US. Smart Traveller this week updated its advice to Australians warning of the mass poisoning event.
Melbourne community remember 'vivacious' Bianca Jones
Meanwhile on home soil, those who knew Bianca have remembered her, as friends and family rally around the family of Holly Bowles, who remained clinging to life in a Bangkok hospital in a critical condition on Thursday.
"Bianca was a much-loved player during her time playing for the Sharks. Bianca joined the Sharks in 2021 in our evolving girls Under 16’s and continued into 2022 where she was an integral part of the premiership-winning BFC U18s Girls team," the Beaumaris Football Club wrote online.
"She quickly bonded with her teammates due to her spirited efforts to improve herself as a player and her vivacious sparkling personality that lifted the team on cold training nights and match day.
"Bianca’s infectious charm and tenacity made her a fondly regarded teammate and friend."
"Many wonderful memories of watching these girls play together in the 2022 season. We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Bianca. Our heartfelt condolences to the Jones family," another loved one wrote.
"No words can heal the hurt felt right now. Our thoughts and love go to all Bianca's family, friends," said another.
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