Latest news with #Calum Macdonald
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
I saw kaleidoscopic light before going permanently blind after taking free shots in Laos that killed 6
A BRITISH backpacker who went blind after drinking methanol-laced shots in Laos described seeing a "kaleidoscopic light" before his vision went black. Calum Macdonald, 23, stopped off in the popular tourist destination of Vang Vieng in Laos during his first solo trip abroad last year. 9 9 9 He became a victim of methanol poisoning after being given free shots of vodka and whiskey at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Several travellers were hospitalised and six people died after unknowingly drinking contaminated alcohol in November last year - including Simone White, 28, a lawyer from Orpington in South East London. Calum met two of the victims of the mass poisoning - Annie-Sofie Orklid Coyman and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, both from Denmark - on a night out. The 23-year-old was left permanently blind after ingesting methanol, a chemical found in dodgy booze that turns toxic in the body. He is now speaking out about his story for the first time. Calum was with friends at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in November 2024, he told BBC Breakfast. Free whisky and vodka shots were offered to guests and Calum mixed his with soft drinks. He began to suspect something was seriously wrong the next day when he stepped off an overnight bus at the Vietnamese border. Calum realised he couldn't read any of the administrative forms in front of him. Instead, all he could see was a "kaleidoscopic blinding light". I survived Laos alcohol poisoning that killed my pal Simone White & 5 others - I felt paralysed after drinking six shots Calum told his friends about it and they initially thought he might be suffering from food poisoning. "I remember having this sort of kaleidoscopic, blinding light in my eyes and to the point at which I couldn't see anything,' he told BBC Breakfast. "[We agreed] it was strange but we thought it was food poisoning and the light I was seeing was some kind of sensitivity.' But things further escalated when the group got to their hotel in Vietnam. 9 9 9 "We were sitting in the hotel room, my friends and I, and I said to them: 'Why are we sitting in the dark? Someone should turn a light on'," Calum recalled. The lights were already on. Methanol is a type of alcohol commonly found in cleaning products, fuel and antifreeze. It's similar to ethanol, which is used for alcoholic drinks, but is more toxic to humans because it turns to formic acid when processed by the body. Even a tiny amount can mess with your system, causing vision problems, permanent damage to your central nervous system, or, in extreme cases, death. Because it is tasteless and has only a faint smell, it is impossible to tell if a drink has methanol in it. Why is methanol so deadly? By Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent Methanol is a super-toxic version of alcohol that may be present in drinks if added by crooks to make them stronger or if they are brewed or distilled badly. The consequences can be devastating because as little as a single shot of contaminated booze could be deadly, with just 4ml of methanol potentially enough to cause blindness. Prof Oliver Jones, a chemist at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, said: 'The body converts methanol to formic acid. 'Formic acid blocks the action of an enzyme that is critical to how the body uses oxygen to generate energy. 'If it stops working, cells cannot take up or use oxygen from the blood and lack of oxygen causes problems in a range of organs as the cells start to die. 'Symptoms of methanol poisoning include vomiting, seizures and dizziness. 'The optic nerve seems to be particularly vulnerable to methanol toxicity, so there is the potential for temporary or permanent blindness, and even death. 'While thankfully rare, methanol poisoning is very serious, and treatment should be given at a hospital.' Booze can become contaminated with methanol if it is manufactured poorly. The chemical is also sometimes used in counterfeit or homemade alcohol to cut costs, which means it's most likely to show up in shady local spirits or cheap cocktails, Travel Aware says. Methanol poisoning is a known problem with cheap spirits in South East Asia where hundreds of people are poisoned each year, according to the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). As little as 30ml of methanol can be fatal to humans, but poisoning can be treated if caught 10 to 30 hours after consuming dodgy booze. Simone also stayed and drank at the Nana Backpacker Hostel the day after Calum left. After waking up lethargic and nauseous, the 28-year-old was rushed to hospital by fellow travellers in a near paralytic state. Simone suffered seizures and could no longer breathe on her own, so she was placed on life support. She died in hospital nine days after consuming free vodka shots, from a bleed in her brain caused by methanol poisoning. Two Danish women also died after drinking at the hostel, whom Calum had met. 9 9 He said learning of their deaths changed his perspective on his blindness. "Part of the way that I [had] dealt with it was to bury my head in the sand," he told the BBC. "I did really feel like, in many ways, my life wasn't worth living. "[The deaths] made me realise that I was very lucky and I felt very grateful that, although I had some difficult consequences, a lot of people did have it worse. "I felt, given that I was lucky enough to survive, I have a bit of a responsibility to try and prevent the same thing from happening to other people." Calum is now learning to use a cane and hopes to apply for a guide dog soon. He is working with the families of three other British people who died following methanol poisoning in South East Asia. They are calling on the Foreign Office to be clearer about the dangers people face when booking holidays in countries where methanol poisoning is a concern. The Foreign Office described methanol poisoning and counterfeit alcohol as a "serious problem in some parts of the world" and said it was working with local authorities and the travel industry to tackle the issue. "We seek to make clear the risks to British people travelling abroad and we raise awareness through our travel advice and Travel Aware campaign." Signs of methanol poisoning Spotting methanol poisoning can be tricky because at first, it can feel like regular alcohol poisoning. But there are key differences to watch for: Early signs: You might feel confused, dizzy, extremely tired, or even start throwing up. Serious symptoms appear 12-48 hours after drinking, so be vigilant even the day after. Headaches, nausea, seizures, or even slipping into a coma are common symptoms. Basically, if you're feeling very drunk, out of proportion to how much you've had to drink, get help ASAP. Vision issues can also appear 12-48 hours after the first drink. Methanol poisoning can cause blurry vision, trouble looking at bright lights, and even complete blindness. If you have 'snowfield vision' (seeing snowy static like an old TV) or tunnel vision, that's a red flag. If you or anyone you're with starts to show any of these signs, call or visit the local hospital immediately. It could save your life or prevent serious complications How to reduce the risk of methanol poisoning Methanol has a faint smell and is tasteless, so it can be hard to know if your drink has been contaminated. So here are a few tips to keep you and your mates safe: Stick to licensed places. Only buy your drinks from proper bars, reputable hotels or licenced shops. Avoid homemade booze. Local spirits or homemade vodka might seem fun and adventurous, but they're high-risk. Check your bottles. Seals should be intact, and labels should look legit (no misspellings or dodgy print). Be cautious about cocktails. Stick to sealed or bottled drinks. Pre-mixed cocktails and 'buckets' (cheap mixed drinks served in plastic containers) in touristy areas can be a gamble. Source: Travel Aware
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Laos poisoning victim: I saw a kaleidoscopic light, then went blind
A British backpacker who went blind after drinking contaminated alcohol in Laos has recalled seeing a 'kaleidoscopic light' before losing his vision. Calum Macdonald was on his first solo holiday abroad when he became a victim of methanol poisoning in the town of Vang Vieng last November. Six people died including Simone White, 28, a lawyer from Orpington, in south-east London. Mr Macdonald told the BBC that after the blinding light subsided, he sat down with friends at his hotel and asked for a light to be turned on. When they told him it was already on, he realised he had lost his vision. Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, he recalled being offered free whisky and vodka shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel. He said: 'The point at which I really started to notice some strange side effects was when we briefly got off the bus to cross the border into Vietnam, and we went through the border office. 'We had to fill out a number of forms to get across to the other side – and at that point, sort of my entire vision was engulfed in this blinding white light. I remember having this kaleidoscopic blinding light in my eyes to the point at which I couldn't see anything. 'And I just thought, you know, this is very strange. I couldn't actually see where I was walking.' He said the white light had subsided by the time his group arrived at a hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam. 'My friends and I were sitting in the room and I said to my friends: 'Why are we sitting in the dark here? Let's turn on a light.' And they informed me that the light was, in fact, already on.' Mr Macdonald was taken to hospital, but struggled to breathe during the journey to the point where he could 'barely get my words out'. He said a number of tests were carried out in Laos but it was not until he got back to England that he was told 'it was definitely related to something I'd been drinking'. Mr Macdonald wants more information about methanol poisoning to become available, especially to students who might be preparing to go on a gap year. He said: 'I think I definitely feel a sense of responsibility as someone who's been lucky enough to survive this, to try and get the message out. Because I know certainly, if I'd known about it, I wouldn't be in this situation. 'And I know I have a lot of friends that have also done similar sort of gap years in travelling around even that particular area. And so definitely I think it's quite important.' Mr Macdonald said he later found out that two Danish girls he had met that evening had died. Australian citizens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, and an American man also died. Mr Macdonald added: 'I've had the opportunity to speak to a number of other families that have been affected by this, and they're far more knowledgeable and have been campaigning for awareness for a lot longer than I have been involved. What they tend to say generally is that sometimes the advice isn't put in strong enough terms. 'And so I think, I guess if I was to put out a recommendation to people, although I'm certainly not an expert or a medical professional, I would probably say that if you did want to drink alcohol in some of the affected countries, probably just to avoid spirits entirely.' Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death. It is also a byproduct of poorly-distilled home-brew liquor and could have found its way into bar drinks inadvertently. A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'Methanol poisoning and counterfeit alcohol are a serious problem in some parts of the world and we continue to work closely with the relevant local authorities and the travel industry to tackle this complex issue. 'We seek to make clear the risks to British people travelling abroad and we raise awareness through our travel advice and Travel Aware campaign.'
Times
2 days ago
- Times
Laos methanol victim: I saw a blaze of light, then I was blind
A British man who went blind after he was the victim of a methanol poisoning while travelling in Laos has described seeing a 'kaleidoscopic blinding light' as he began to lose his vision. Calum Macdonald, 23, was one of several victims of the suspected mass methanol poisonings in the popular tourist hub Vang Vieng in the southeast Asian country last year, which killed six people, including Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent. Police in Laos have previously detained several people in connection with the deaths. Macdonald said he was with friends at the Nana Backpackers Hostel, where he and other guests were offered free whisky and vodka shots, which he mixed with soft drinks. He said it was only after crossing the border into Vietnam and stepping off an overnight bus the next day that he suspected something might be wrong. He told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: 'We went through the border office — we had to fill out a number of forms to get across to the other side — and at that point, my entire vision was engulfed in this blinding white light. I couldn't actually see where I was walking.' He then arrived in his hotel room with friends in Hanoi. 'I said to them: 'Why are we sitting in the dark? Someone should turn a light on.'' The lights were already on. Macdonald said he was taken to hospital and during the journey 'really started to struggle to breathe' and could 'barely get my words out'. He said a number of tests were carried out initially but it was not until he got back to England, where he was taken back to hospital, that they 'really indicated that it was definitely related to something I'd been drinking'. Macdonald said he is now speaking out as he wants information to be available to people about methanol poisoning, especially students who might be preparing to go on a gap year. • If schools taught dangers of methanol, my friend might be alive He said: 'I think I definitely feel a sense of responsibility as someone who's been lucky enough to survive this, to try and get the message out. Because I know certainly, if I'd known about it, I wouldn't be in this situation. 'I've had the opportunity to speak to a number of other families that have been affected by this, and they're far more knowledgeable and have been campaigning for awareness for a lot longer than I have been involved.' Macdonald said he knew two of the other victims, Danish girls he had met on a night out, who both died after the suspected poisoning. Alongside the families of three other British people who died after methanol poisonings in southeast Asia, Macdonald is calling on the Foreign Office to be clearer about the dangers people face when booking holidays in countries where methanol poisoning is a concern. 'I think it would be nice even if we could get some more information directly into universities, because I think that's the age of people that are really considering doing these kinds of trips. I think that would be a great thing,' Macdonald said. Methanol is a type of alcohol commonly found in cleaning products, fuel, and antifreeze. It is similar to ethanol, which is used for alcoholic drinks, but is more toxic to humans. Alcoholic drinks can become contaminated with methanol if they are manufactured poorly. • Last hours of couple killed by limoncello, by friend who saw them It is a common problem with cheap spirits in southeast Asia, where hundreds of people are poisoned each year, according to the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). While some people suffer normal hangovers the next day, and symptoms such as dizziness, tiredness, headaches, and nausea, others suffer more serious problems including seizures and blurry vision. In the most severe cases, it can lead to blindness, leave victims in comas, or result in death. As little as 30ml of methanol can be fatal to humans, according to MSF. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'Methanol poisoning and counterfeit alcohol are a serious problem in some parts of the world and we continue to work closely with the relevant local authorities and the travel industry to tackle this complex issue. 'We seek to make clear the risks to British people travelling abroad and we raise awareness through our travel advice and Travel Aware campaign.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
British survivor of Laos methanol poisoning reveals he's been left permanently blind after drinking batch of tainted whisky and vodka shots that killed six others
A man who was blinded after drinking bootleg alcohol in Laos has described the moment he saw a 'kaleidoscopic bright light' before losing his vision. Calum Macdonald, 23, was among several tourists who were unknowingly poisoned after drinking free whisky and vodka shots at a hostel in Vang Vieng last year. Six people who also drank at the hostel later died of methanol poisoning, including Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent. Police in Laos have previously detained several people in connection with the deaths. Methanol is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol but can cause severe poisoning or death. Calum had been mixing the spirits with soft drinks and it was only until the next day that he realised something might be wrong with his sight. He told how he was on a bus crossing into Vietnam with a group of friends when he began having a 'kaleidoscopic, blinding light in my eyes', moments before everything went dark. When the group arrived at their hotel in Hanoi, Calum was unable to see where he was walking and when they eventually sat down in their room, he wondered why everything was still pitch black. 'Why are we sitting in the dark here?,' he asked his friends. They told him the lights were already on. Calum was rushed to hospital and said on the journey there he 'really started to struggle to breathe' and could 'barely get my words out'. He said a number of tests were carried out initially but it was not until he got back to England when he was in hospital and they 'really sort of indicated that it was definitely related to something I'd been drinking'. Calum is now speaking out as he wants information to be available to people about methanol poisoning, especially students who might be preparing to go on a gap year. Methanol poisoning can be incredibly deadly, with fatality rates as high as 50 per cent, and just 15ml of liquid (half a shot) enough to kill you. The colourless liquid produces toxic chemicals that attack the body's cells, leading to organ damage and in some cases death. Subtle symptoms of the problem can also include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting and abdominal and muscle pain. It can also cause changes in vision, due to the way the substance damages sensitive cells in the eyes. In severe cases, as with what happened to Calum, it can lead to total blindness. Calum told BBC Breakfast: 'The point at which I really started to notice some strange side effects was we briefly got off the bus to cross the border into Vietnam, and we went through the border office - we had to fill out a number of forms to get across to the other side - and at that point, sort of my entire vision was engulfed in this blinding white light. 'And I just thought, you know, this is very strange. I couldn't actually see where I was walking.' He added: 'We arrived in Hanoi, and at that point, the kind of white light in my eyes had diminished, and it wasn't until we got to our hotel room and my friends and I were sitting in the room, and I said to my friends, why are we sitting in the dark here? 'Let's turn on a light. And they informed me that the light was, in fact, already on.' Calum, who is now permanently blind, has been working with the families of three other Brits who died following the poisonings and is urging the Foreign Office to provide clearer warnings about countries where methanol poisoning is a risk. He said: 'I think I definitely feel a sense of responsibility as someone who's been lucky enough to survive this, to try and get the message out. Because I know certainly, if I'd known about it, I wouldn't be in this situation. 'And I know I have a lot of friends that have also done similar sort of gap years in travelling around even that particular area. And so definitely, I think it's quite important. 'I've had the opportunity to speak to a number of other families that have been affected by this, and they're far more knowledgeable and have been campaigning for awareness for a lot longer than I have been involved. And what they tend to say generally is that sometimes the advice isn't put in strong enough terms. 'I guess if I was to put out a recommendation to people, although I'm certainly not an expert or a medical professional, I would probably say that if you did want to drink alcohol in some of the affected countries, probably just to avoid spirits entirely. 'I think it would be nice, even if we could get some more information directly into universities, because I think that's the age of people that are really considering doing these kinds of trips, I think that would be a great thing.' Two of the people who died in the mass poisoning last November, Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21, had met Calum on a night out. The other victims in Laos were 57-year-old American James Huston, two 19-year-old Australian women Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, and London solicitor Simone White, 28. Ms White and her best friend Bethany Clarke, both from Orpington in south-east London, had been backpacking across south-east Asia, starting in Cambodia - and had reached Laos full of excitement. The pair had spent the day tubing down the river - a popular tourist activity - before returning to their hostel for a night of drinking. Recalling the events that led to her best friend's death, Ms Clarke said: 'We had methanol-laced shots - we had five or six each, just mixing them with Sprite. 'The next morning, we didn't feel right, but we just assumed it was a hangover. It was strange, though - unlike any hangover I'd had before. 'It felt like being drunk but in a way where you couldn't enjoy it - something was just off.' Despite their condition, they continued with their plans - heading to the surrounding area's Blue Lagoon and kayaking down the river again. Ms Clarke added: 'We were just lying on the backs of the kayaks, too weak to paddle. Simone was being sick off one of them. 'Neither of us wanted to swim or eat - which, we later learned, are early signs of methanol poisoning.' After later boarding a bus to their next destination, Ms Clarke fainted and Ms White kept vomiting before both were taken to a local hospital that Ms Clarke has now described as 'very poor'. She added: 'They had no idea what was wrong. They talked about food poisoning, but we hadn't eaten the same things. It didn't make sense.' Still confused and deteriorating, the group then made it to a private hospital for Ms White to receive further treatment. Ms Clarke said: 'They told me they'd do all they could to save her. She was having seizures during dialysis. 'I was told at one point there was a 70 per cent chance she'd recover. I still had hope.' When Ms White's condition worsened, her mother Sue White flew out to Laos - arriving just as her daughter was being wheeled into emergency brain surgery. Ms Clarke added: 'Her brain had started to swell and they had to shave her head. The surgery relieved the pressure but caused bleeding and the other side started swelling.' The results confirming methanol poisoning would not arrive until two weeks later, by which time Ms White had died. Ms Clarke is now petitioning for methanol and bootleg alcohol awareness to be included in schools - teaching students the risks of unregulated drinks abroad. She and her supporters are planning a hard-hitting educational video, similar in tone to drink-driving public service announcements shown in schools. Her petition has so far garnered more than 12,000 signatures, surpassing her goal of 10,000. At 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been approached to comment.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Methanol poisoning victim issues warning to others after losing sight
Calum Macdonald, a British man, has spoken out about losing his sight after suffering methanol poisoning while travelling in Laos in 2024, saying he experienced a 'kaleidoscopic, blinding light'. Mr Macdonald was one of several tourists who fell victim to methanol poisoning after consuming free alcoholic drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Six people in the group died. He said he felt 'my life wasn't worth living' after the poisoning and is advising tourists to avoid drinking free spirits. Methanol, often found in cleaning products, is tasteless and odourless, making contaminated drinks impossible to detect. Mr Macdonald is now campaigning with other victims' families for the Foreign Office to issue clearer warnings about methanol poisoning risks in South East Asia.
