November 25th 2024.
A group of young adventurers, 19-year-old Australian Holly Bowles and her best friend Bianca Jones, embarked on a journey through South East Asia to experience different cultures and make unforgettable memories. However, their trip took a tragic turn when they both fell ill with suspected methanol poisoning and had to be rushed to the hospital.
According to the first doctor to treat her, Ms. Bowles went from being confused to slipping into a coma within just half an hour. The doctor, Dr. Yaher, recounted his encounter with the young backpacker, saying she was disoriented and drowsy when they first saw her. Despite numerous attempts to identify the cause of her illness, Ms. Bowles was unable to provide any information about what she had eaten or drank.
Dr. Yaher suspected that she may have consumed too many cannabis-infused gummies, which are commonly available among tourists on the popular "banana pancake trail" that the girls were following. However, after just 30 minutes, Ms. Bowles suffered a seizure and slipped into a coma. She was immediately transported to the hospital, but unfortunately, she passed away nine days later.
Ms. Bowles' passing has left her family and friends devastated. In a statement, her parents expressed their heartache but also found solace in the fact that their daughter had lived her life to the fullest and brought joy to many people. They remembered her as a loving older sister and a source of pride for them.
The two best friends had been staying at a hostel in Vang Vieng when they fell ill and had to seek medical help. CCTV footage from the hostel showed one of the girls being taken to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike by a staff member. Sadly, Ms. Jones also passed away the following day.
The tragedy didn't just affect these two young women, as four other victims also lost their lives to suspected methanol poisoning. Among them was British lawyer Simone White, who was staying at the same hostel as Ms. Bowles and Ms. Jones. The incident has sparked an investigation, and several people have been detained by the police, including the hostel owner.
Methanol, which is sometimes used as a cheap alternative to ethanol in alcoholic drinks, can be highly toxic when not properly monitored during distillation and fermentation. This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder to always be cautious while traveling and to be aware of the potential dangers that come with trying new things in unfamiliar places. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of all the victims affected by this tragedy.
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