One of the teenagers on life support in a Thai hospital after a horrific drink-spiking incident, reportedly involving methanol, has been described as an “absolute star”.
Holly Bowles and her best friend Bianca Jones, aged 19, had been enjoying a backpacking holiday with friends in Laos when they became ill after supposedly consuming methanol.
Two other travellers have died and at least a dozen people have been hospitalised following the incident.
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The teenagers had just graduated from Mentone Girls Grammar and Beaumaris Secondary College in Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs last year.
Cafe workers at Frank’s Melbourne in Cheltenham, where Bowles had worked for more than two years, confirmed the 19-year-old’s identity.
“She’s just an absolute star. She’s a bundle of joy. To know her is to love her,” the cafe manager, who did not want to be named, told The Age.
“We’re just praying for the family. She’s just a loyal, caring sweet person. We value her so much as a friend as well as a colleague.”
The cafe opened its doors this morning after closing yesterday.
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9News was told the Melbourne teens informed staff at the Nana Backpackers that they were feeling unwell.
“They come and tell my staff at the reception, the night shift, to bring them, go to hospital,” the Nana Backpackers hostel manager told 9News.
The hostel manager said the police came to check the alcohol in the venue, which hosts happy hours every night with free vodka and whiskey.
“But it’s very normal. Alcohol is every bar, every hostel, they buy the same,” he said.
9News understands the girls had been to a number of bars while staying in Laos.
Family members have flown to Thailand to be by the side of the two girls.
It’s understood their parents flew to Bangkok, where they are in hospital, on Friday.
Methanol is a clear liquid chemical used in thousands of everyday products, including plastics, paints, cosmetics, and fuels.
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It’s often deliberately and illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, according to the Methanol Institute.
Drinking just 25-90ml of methanol can be fatal.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provided 9News with a statement yesterday.
A spokesperson said they were “providing consular assistance” to two Australians and their families in Thailand.
“Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time,” a spokesperson said.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
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