Neighborhood grieves for Australian teenagers killed by suspected methanol poisoning

Key Factors

Holly Bowles died on Friday in a Bangkok hospital, someday after her greatest pal Bianca Jones died.
The ladies from Beaumaris in Melbourne’s southeast had been on vacation in Laos final week after they grew to become sick.
The suspected methanol poisoning occasion in Vang Vieng has been linked to 6 deaths to this point.

A grieving Melbourne group will flip their suburb blue and yellow in reminiscence of two teenagers who died from suspected methanol poisoning whereas on vacation in Laos.

Holly Bowles, 19, died on Friday in a Bangkok hospital, someday after her greatest pal Bianca Jones, additionally 19, died in one other hospital within the Thailand capital.

The ladies from Beaumaris in Melbourne’s southeast had been on vacation in Laos final week after they grew to become sick together with a dozen different vacationers within the widespread vacationer city of Vang Vieng.

Each ladies had been closely concerned with the Beaumaris Soccer Membership which on Saturday posted a tribute to the pair, displaying ribbons of blue and yellow, the membership’s colors, tied to a signpost of their dwelling floor at Banksia Reserve.

“Take part and switch Beaumaris Blue & Yellow in loving reminiscence of each ladies gone too quickly and in help of their grief-stricken dad and mom,” the membership posted on Instagram.

It had held a “non-public get-together” for gamers and coaches on Friday night time.

Bowles’ dad and mom confirmed her loss of life on Friday, saying they had been all the time so extremely happy with their daughter and she or he was “now at peace”.

“We discover consolation and solace in realizing that Holly introduced a lot pleasure and happiness to so many individuals,” they mentioned in a press release.

“Holly was dwelling her greatest life travelling by way of Southeast Asia assembly new buddies and having fun with unbelievable experiences.”

Frank’s cafe the place Bowles labored for greater than two years, paid tribute to their co-worker, who they described as a “staple” of the crew.

“Holly was one of the best of us. She was candy, extremely sort, dependable, humorous, diligent, hardworking and intensely succesful,” the cafe posted on Instagram.

“Imagine me once I say that I could not fault her.”

Bowles was “cherished and adored with all our hearts and we’ll miss her so, a lot,” her co-workers mentioned.

“Lastly, to Holly, I am simply so grateful you walked by way of our door with a resume, child. I am going to always remember you mate.”

Thai authorities have already confirmed Jones had died of “mind swelling because of excessive ranges of methanol present in her system”.

The supervisor and proprietor of the hostel, the place the 2 teenagers had been staying, have since been detained by Laotian police.

Native federal MP Zoe Daniel supplied her condolences to the teenagers’ households, buddies and area people.

“Each of those younger buddies had been on the journey of a lifetime, a journey numerous younger Australians have loved for generations,” she mentioned.

“That they had been cruelly misplaced to a methanol poisoning occasion in Laos, so removed from dwelling, after they had been alleged to be having the time of their younger lives makes the ache all that extra acute.”

International Minister Penny Wong paid tribute to each ladies, saying “all Australians can be holding each households of their hearts”.

Six deaths from poisoning to this point

The pair did not go away their dorm on the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on 13 November earlier than being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.

The suspected methanol poisoning occasion in Vang Vieng has been linked to 6 deaths to this point, together with the 2 Australians, a British lady, an American and two Danish vacationers.

It is believed all of the affected vacationers, consumed drinks laced with methanol.

The Australian authorities has up to date its , telling residents to be alert to the potential threat of spirit-based drinks together with cocktails.