Latest news with #SimoneWhite
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Blow to families after staff who served methanol laced drinks that killed Brit lawyer & 5 other backpackers in Laos FLEE
The shocking twist comes after six months without any charges being made following the horrific poisoning POISON FURY Blow to families after staff who served methanol laced drinks that killed Brit lawyer & 5 other backpackers in Laos FLEE Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STAFF members who served a Brit backpacker and five other tourists deadly drinks laced with poison in Laos have sparked outrage by fleeing the country. The cruel twist came after Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, and five others died after consuming methanol-spiked vodka shots at the party hotspot last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Staff members who served Brit Simone White and five other poison-laced alcohol have fled the country Credit: PA 6 The Nana Backpacker Hostel, in Vang Vieng, Laos, where six backpackers died after drinking tainted alcohol laced with methanol Credit: Enterprise 6 Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpackers hostel where the victims were staying According to the Herald Sun, at least two employees who were "detained" following the horrific ordeal have now fled Laos to neighbouring Vietnam. Tragic Simone was among five other backpackers who also lost their lives after drinking the same fatal beverages. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 and from Australia, as well as two young women from Denmark, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American man James Louis Hutson, 57, were also killed. All of them were staying at the hostel along with 100 more guests. After hearing that two of the suspects had fled Laos, Bianca's dad told the Herald Sun: "We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls, the Danish girl and the British girl in Laos." The group died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with deadly methanol at the Nana Backpackers hostel in the town of Vang Vieng last November. Simone was among the victims after she was rushed to hospital in a near paralytic state before being placed on life support for three days. Her mum Sue took a hellish 16-hour journey from Kent to Laos after hearing of her daughter's grave condition. She said she feared Simone would die after being called by the hospital who told her she needed emergency brain surgery. After arriving at Laos hospital Sue was given the devastating ultimatum over whether to leave her daughter on life support or not. Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, dies in 'methanol-laced alcohol poisoning' that left 4 others dead in backpacking hotspot Doctors refused to switch off the machine due to their religion - but told Sue she could do it herself. The distraught mum said she had to take a tube out of her dying daughter's mouth before making the incredibly painful and "traumatic" decision to switch off the machine. Simone's official cause of death was confirmed as a bleed on the brain, an inquest heard. No charges have been made six months after the fatal ordeal, despite Laotian authorities reportedly preparing charges for up to 13 people. The 13 suspects have been accused of violating food and health security, unlawful business operations and the elimination of evidence, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. It comes just weeks after the families of Bianca and Holly, who died from suspected methanol poisoning, slammed cops over "appalling" charges. 6 Laos methanol poison victim, Simone White, with her mum Sue 6 Sue revealed her daughter's final message in an interview alongside Simone's friend Bethany Clarke Credit: 60 Minutes Australia 6 The two teens tragically died just days after the shocking incident. Holly's mother told 60 Minutes: "[The charges are] pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting.' Bianca's furious mum added: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. "You know, that's like? What is that? We don't even know." The parents also said they had written to Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone 'a million times'. The desperate parents claimed to have even contacted his wife, but still say they have not received a response. 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.' An unexpected but key way of treating methanol poisoning is to get the patient drunk with normal alcohol - known as ethanol - to distract the liver and stop it processing the methanol.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Blow to families after staff who served methanol laced drinks that killed Brit lawyer & 5 other backpackers in Laos FLEE
STAFF members who served a Brit backpacker and five other tourists deadly drinks laced with poison in Laos have sparked outrage by fleeing the country. The cruel twist came after Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, and five others died after consuming methanol-spiked vodka shots at the party hotspot last year. 5 5 5 According to the Herald Sun, at least two employees who were "detained" following the horrific ordeal have now fled Laos to neighbouring Vietnam. Tragic Simone was among five other backpackers who also lost their lives after drinking the same fatal beverages. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 and from Australia, as well as two young women from Denmark, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American man James Louis Hutson, 57, were also killed. All of them were staying at the hostel along with 100 more guests. After hearing that two of the suspects had fled Laos, Bianca's dad told the Herald Sun: "We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls, the Danish girl and the British girl in Laos." The group died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with deadly methanol at the Nana Backpackers hostel in the town of Vang Vieng last November. Simone was among the victims after she was rushed to hospital in a near paralytic state before being placed on life support for three days. Her mum Sue took a hellish 16-hour journey from Kent to Laos after hearing of her daughter's grave condition. She said she feared Simone would die after being called by the hospital who told her she needed emergency brain surgery. After arriving at Laos hospital Sue was given the devastating ultimatum over whether to leave her daughter on life support or not. Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, dies in 'methanol-laced alcohol poisoning' that left 4 others dead in backpacking hotspot Doctors refused to switch off the machine due to their religion - but told Sue she could do it herself. The distraught mum said she had to take a tube out of her dying daughter's mouth before making the incredibly painful and "traumatic" decision to switch off the machine. Simone's official cause of death was confirmed as a bleed on the brain, an inquest heard. No charges have been made six months after the fatal ordeal, despite Laotian authorities reportedly preparing charges for up to 13 people. The 13 suspects have been accused of violating food and health security, unlawful business operations and the elimination of evidence, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. It comes just weeks after the families of Bianca and Holly, who died from suspected methanol poisoning, slammed cops over "appalling" charges. 5 5 The two teens tragically died just days after the shocking incident. Holly's mother told 60 Minutes: "[The charges are] pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting.' Bianca's furious mum added: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. "You know, that's like? What is that? We don't even know." The parents also said they had written to Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone 'a million times'. The desperate parents claimed to have even contacted his wife, but still say they have not received a response. 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.' An unexpected but key way of treating methanol poisoning is to get the patient drunk with normal alcohol - known as ethanol - to distract the liver and stop it processing the methanol.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Methanol poisoning: Why travellers are at risk, and how to reduce the dangers
The government must do more to heighten awareness of the risk of methanol poisoning while abroad: that is the message from family and friends of British victims who consumed drinks spiked with the deadly substance. Six backpackers died in Laos in November 2024 after drinking free shots of spirits tainted with methanol at a hostel in Vang Vienna in Laos. Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from London, lost her life along with two Australians, two Danes and an American. Her travelling companion, Bethany Clarke, is campaigning for greater awareness of the dangers. In July 2022, Kirsty McKie, 38, was working as a ceramicist in Bali when she died after drinking liquor contaminated with methanol. 'Kirsty drank a moderate amount and the results were catastrophic,' says her mother, Margaret McKie. After the inquest in Manchester into her death, the coroner said: "There was little publicity by the UK government of the risk in contrast to the approach taken by the Australian government who had undertaken a campaign to increase awareness to protect their citizens travelling in areas of Asia such as Bali.' Besides these tragedies, in recent years deaths from methanol poisoning have also been reported in other countries including Fiji, India, South Africa and Turkey. The Foreign Office says it will 'will explore more ways to inform British travellers about the risks of methanol'. These are the key questions and answers. What is methanol – and why is it so dangerous? Methanol is a chemically simple form of alcohol, also known as wood spirit or methyl alcohol. Its uses are mainly industrial, such as a fuel and a solvent for paint and plastic. The substance is highly toxic and definitely not for human consumption: if ingested, methanol is processed in the body and becomes formic acid, which attacks the system. The UK Health Security Agency says it causes 'coma, convulsions, blindness, nervous system damage and death'. Just 25ml of methanol – about five teaspoons – can prove fatal. Why would anyone add methanol to drinks? Bluntly, to make money. 'Organised crime regularly doctors drinks,' says Jim Dickson MP, who is working with the families and friends of victims to raise awareness of the risks. Adding methanol boosts the alcohol content, and because it has only a very faint smell and is tasteless you would not know that your drink is contaminated. The Methanol Institute, the worldwide trade association for producers, says: 'Methanol is often deliberately and illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol (normal alcohol that can be consumed) in countries where taxes on legitimate alcohol or the cost of legitimate alcohol might be perceived as too high.' The institute likens methanol spiking to adding petrol to a drink. Poisoning can also happen with home-made alcohol that isn't brewed properly, producing methanol instead of ethanol. What are the symptoms? Beverley Tompkins, travel health nurse for Nomad Travel has written an excellent blog on the dangers of methanol, which says: 'The first signs of poisoning include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, tiredness, confusion and dizziness. 'Further symptoms appear 12-48 hours later and can include headaches, blurry vision, trouble looking at bright lights, tunnel vision or seeing static – like that on an old TV screen – or complete blindness, seizures and coma.' Ms Tompkins says any one of these symptoms is 'a red flag that this is not normal alcohol poisoning'. Urgent hospital medical care must be sought immediately. Treatment includes ethanol ('ordinary' alcohol), a drug called Fomepizole – which stops the methanol turning into formic acid – and dialysis to flush out the system. Where are the biggest risks? The Foreign Office includes information about the risks from methanol poisoning in travel advice pages for five South East Asian nations – Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia – as well as Costa Rica, Fiji and Turkey. The Australian government widens the danger area, saying methanol poisoning 'can be a risk in popular destinations in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe'. What should travellers look out for before drinking? Any situation in which a drink could have been tainted with methanol – or drugs, for that matter. For example, a bar in which shots are poured from open bottles. The Foreign Office warns: 'Say no to drinks from strangers. 'Go to reputable venues. Stick to places with a decent reputation – shady bars aren't worth the risk.' In a relaxed backpacker environment such as a hostel, it is easy to see how travellers could be lulled into a false sense of security. But the dangers extend far beyond the backpacker circuit. Campaigners point out that in Bali, methanol poisoning has been known to affect guests at beach clubs and five-star hotels. 'Drinking at reputable establishments reduces the risk of methanol poisoning, but doesn't eliminate it,' says the Australian government. It urges caution if offered 'unusually cheap or discounted brand-name alcohol'. Margaret McKie, mother of Kirsty McKie, says: 'Kirsty had lived and worked in Bali for years and was well informed about the dangers of methanol. She and her fiance purchased alcohol from a supposedly reputable source that supplied high-end hotels and restaurants.' The Foreign Office minister Catherine West add: 'What is in bottles in supermarkets, in some cases, will not be what is described on the label.' What is the best policy for travellers? If you are in a bar, only consume drinks you can watch being opened and poured. The ideal is canned or bottled beer – in a tropical environment the more fluid the better, too. 'Steer clear, drink beer' is a valuable mantra. If you are buying for consumption in your hostel or hotel, go for a reputable retailer. Avoid anything that could be home brew, and beware of drinks that are significantly cheaper than the market average. The UK government says: 'Check your bottles. Seals should be intact, and labels should look legit (no misspellings or dodgy print).' But campaigners say: 'Branded bottles are often refilled with (home-brewed) alcohol.' Be aware of the initial symptoms of methanol poisoning, including nausea, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and confusion, so you can help others deal with what is a serious medical emergency.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Our Simone died after drinking free shots on holiday'
Loved ones of a Kent woman who died from methanol poisoning are urging the government to do more to educate young people on the risks of drinking bootleg alcohol Simone White, from Orpington, died in 2024 along with five others after consuming free shots they were offered at a hostel in Laos, south-east MP for Dartford raised the issue in a debate in Parliament on Tuesday, calling for compulsory education on the issue in in the Westminster Hall debate, Foreign Office minister Catherine West paid tribute to Simone's family and thanked them for raising the profile of the issue. She said the government was acting in response to the "tragic losses". 'It's got to stop' Amanda Dennis, a family representative, said Simone had a "zest for life". "She was very well educated... [and] well-travelled. She was a lovely young lady, who had a lot more to live for." Ms Dennis added they initially thought the lawyer would pull through, but days later they were told by hospital staff there was "no hope" of survival. She said the family was "joining forces" with others who had lost loved ones in the same way."You can't have any more young people losing their lives unnecessarily," she said. "It's got to stop." Speaking in Parliament, Dartford MP Jim Dickson praised the "courage" of Simone's family and others who were "fighting for justice" and "trying to raise awareness so that other families don't have to lose loved ones in the same tragic circumstances".In an interview with BBC South East, he said he was calling on the government to "increase the awareness among young people of a likelihood of methanol poisoning".He said he wanted the Foreign Office website to be "very, very clear" about the risk of bootleg alcohol in certain countries and that it "probably needs to do more"."Above all we think it should be in the school curriculum," said Ms Dickson. "Young people should be being taught from a very early age that methanol poisoning is a possibility... and how to take action to avoid it." 'More awareness needed' Mr Dickson said there were a number of ways young people could distinguish between "drink that is ok and drink that might poison them", including avoiding "knock-off brands that are posing as mainstream brands".Kay Coleman, mother of Bethany who was poisoned along with Simone but survived, said they had started a petition for compulsory education on methanol poisoning in schools. "There needs to be more awareness," she said, adding that the "message [needs to get] across fully about the dangers" of drinking bootleg alcohol.A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos and we are in contact with the local authorities."Information on methanol poisoning in Laos is available on the Foreign Office website, they added.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
Laos backpacker families slam cops as ‘appalling' charges finally laid over tourists killed in alcohol poisoning
THE families of two Aussie girls who died from suspected methanol poisoning during a trip to Laos have slammed the cops over "appalling" charges. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, were among the six tourists who died after drinking methanol-laced vodka shots at the party hub. 6 6 6 The teens, from Melbourne, stayed at the Nana Backpacker hostel where they were offered welcome drinks thought to be spiked with the poisonous substance. The alarm was raised by staff after the teens failed to check out from their rooms during a morning in November last year. Bianca and Holly were rushed to separate hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand, as their families travelled to be with them. However, both of them tragically died just days after the shocking incident. Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, and four other foreigners also died due to methanol poisoning. All of them were staying at the hostel along with 100 more guests. Six months after the tragedy, their families have now been told that at least 13 people linked to the case may finally be charged. They have been accused of violating food and health security, unlawful business operations and the elimination of evidence, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. But the families of Bianca and Holly have slammed the charges for being too weak. Holly's mother told 60 Minutes: "[The charges are] pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting.' I survived Laos alcohol poisoning that killed my pal Simone White & 5 others - I felt paralysed after drinking six shots Bianca's furious mum added: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. You know, that's like? What is that? We don't even know. 'We know there's no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be.' Both mums said that those allegedly involved would only get a "slap on the wrist" under these charges if found guilty. Aussie officials previously revealed that Laso had rejected offers by Australiad feds to support the investigations into the traffic deaths Their families said in a statement: "They said: "As the Laos government rejects any support from the AFP, our confidence in accountability and justice for everyone affected remains unanswered." They also slammed the Laos government, claiming authorities "don't care" and that the lives of their daughters meant "nothing". Simone's pal Bethany Clarke - who also fell sick - was the first to raise the alarm on the Laos Backpacking Facebook group. She wrote: 'Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. 6 6 6 "Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in the hospital currently with methanol poisoning.' Bethany added that she was 'very fatigued and then fainted, then just felt nauseous and then my liver started to shut down'. Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald, 21, died after they were left vomiting blood for 13 hours. American man James Louis Hutson, 57, also died. In the wake of the tragic incident, Thai cops detained several people, including the hostel manager and the owner. All of them deny any wrongdoing. No charges have been laid for the six deaths, and the hostel has been closed. The hostel manager, Duong Duc Toan, and a bartender, Toan Van Vanng, previously denied allegations that methanol was in drinks. Toan said he bought the alcohol from a licensed seller and said the free shots were given to 100 people. The hostel manager claimed other guests had not reported being ill and he took a shot in front of cops. One pal claimed staff refused to call an ambulance and a female worker massaged the toes and feet of one of the Danish women while she was having a seizure. 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.' An unexpected but key way of treating methanol poisoning is to get the patient drunk with normal alcohol - known as ethanol - to distract the liver and stop it processing the methanol.
