The families of two best friends now on life support in separate Thailand hospitals after reportedly drinking methanol-laced cocktails say they are ‘living every parent’s worst nightmare’.
Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both aged 19 from Melbourne, became unwell while staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Laos last week.
The best friends were on a ‘dream getaway’ gap year trip across south-east Asia when authorities suspect they drank poisoned cocktails which reportedly contained tainted shots of ‘vodka’ while holidaying in the party town of Vang Vieng.
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were rushed to Udon Thani and Bangkok Hospital respectively after telling hostel staff they needed medical attention
Ms Jones’ parents broke their silence on Wednesday to reveal they hope local police can swiftly find out what happened.
‘Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,’ they told the Herald Sun.
‘This is every parent’s nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through.
‘We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.’
The girls were among a group of 14 tourists who also fell ill in what authorities fear was a mass poisoning which has already claimed the lives of two Danish women in their 20s.
Bianca Jones and her best friend are on life support in separate Thailand hospitals after falling ill in Laos last week
Ms Jones’ and her best friend Holly Bowles (pictured) are two of 14 tourists who are believed to be victims of a mass methanol poisoning in the party town of Vang Vieng
The pair had booked a four night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel where they had been drinking the night before they began to feel unwell
Ms Bowles’ father, Shaun Bowles, said his family was spending every minute possible by Holly’s side.
‘Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, she’s on life support,’ he told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday.
‘We would just like to thank everyone from back home for all their support and love that we are receiving.
‘We would also like for people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.’
The two teens had booked in a four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel, where they had been drinking and playing cards at the bar on the night they were poisoned.
The Jones family released a statement on Tuesday, saying their daughter had been on a ‘dream getaway with her best friend Holly’.
‘They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia,’ the statement said. ‘We are here by Bianca’s bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time.’
The girls’ families have said they are still on life support in separate hospitals
Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls the Laotian vodka, has claimed it wasn’t his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick
Toan said the girls had drank three beverages each between 8pm and 10:30pm before leaving for another venue
Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls has claimed it wasn’t his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick.
Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted it had not been tainted by himself or his staff.
He said the shots, a gesture of hospitality, were served to around 100 guests and that the hostel had not received any other complaints.
To prove his point, the bartender drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe.
Toan said Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were at the bar from 8pm to 10.30pm and had three drinks each in that time.
He poured them a Lao Pdr Tiger Vodka containing 40 per cent alcohol and mixed it with ice and Coke Zero.
‘Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng,’ he told the Associated Press.
Ms Jones’ parents have said they hope local authorities are able to find out what happened to their daughter
Ms Bowels’ father said his family were spending every moment they could by her bedside in Thailand
Ms Jones’ and Ms Bowles’ friends back in Melbourne have been organising private vigils in the days since their friends were put on life support.
Last year, the pair graduated from Mentone Girls’ Grammar and Beaumaris Secondary College.
Both were heavily involved in the Beaumaris Football Club.
Club president Nick Heath said both girls loved he sport and that their teammates were ‘struggling’ to come to grips with what had happened to them.
‘The Beaumaris Football Club extends its love, best wishes and unconditional support to Holly and Bianca in their hour of need,’ Mr Heath said in a statement.
‘Our heartfelt thoughts are also with their parents Samantha and Shaun Bowles, Michelle and Mark Jones, as well as their extended families and friends.
‘The situation that occurred whilst both girls were travelling in Southeast Asia is tragic and distressing.
‘Now more than ever, the wider Sharks Community needs to lean on each other for both comfort and support.’
The Beaumaris Football Club, are ‘struggling’ to come to grips with what has happened to the girls
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