Key Points
- Holly Bowles died in a Bangkok hospital on Friday, a day after the death of her best friend Bianca Jones.
- The girls from Beaumaris, in Melbourne’s south-east, were on holiday in Laos last week when they fell ill.
- Suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng has so far been linked to six deaths.
A grieving Melbourne community will turn its suburb blue and yellow in memory of two teenagers who died from suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos.
Holly Bowles, 19, died at a Bangkok hospital on Friday, a day after her best friend Bianca Jones, also 19, died at another hospital in the Thai capital.
The girls from Beaumaris, in Melbourne’s south-east, were on holiday in Laos last week when they fell ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.
Both girls were heavily involved with Beaumaris Football Club who released a tribute to the two men on Saturday, showing blue and yellow ribbons, the club colors, attached to a sign marking their ground at Banksia Reserve.
“Join us and transform Beaumaris Blue & Yellow in memory of the two girls who left too soon and in support of their grieving parents,” the club posted on Instagram.
Friday evening, he organized a “private meeting” for players and coaches.
Bowles’ parents confirmed her death Friday, saying they were still incredibly proud of their daughter and that she was “now at peace.”
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” they said in a statement.
“Holly was living her best life traveling across Southeast Asia, meeting new friends and having incredible experiences.”
Frank’s Cafe where Bowles worked for more than two years paid tribute to his colleague, who they described as a “staple” of the team.
“Holly was the best of us. She was sweet, incredibly kind, reliable, funny, diligent, hardworking and extremely knowledgeable,” the cafe posted on Instagram.
“Believe me when I say I have nothing to complain about.”
Bowles was “loved and adored with all our hearts and will be missed so much,” her colleagues said.
“Finally, to Holly, I’m so grateful you walked through our door with a resume, kid. I’ll never forget you buddy.”
Thai authorities have already confirmed that Jones died from “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system.”
The manager and owner of the hostel, where the two teenagers were staying, have since been arrested by Laotian police.
Local Federal MP Zoe Daniel offered her condolences to the teenagers’ families, friends and the local community.
“These two young friends were on the trip of a lifetime, one that countless young Australians have enjoyed for generations,” she said.
“The fact that they were cruelly lost to methanol poisoning in Laos, so far from home, when they were supposed to be having the best time of their young lives, makes the pain all the more acute.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong paid tribute to both girls, saying “all Australians will carry both families in their hearts”.
Six poisoning deaths to date
The two men did not leave their dormitory at Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13 before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.
Suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng has so far been linked to six deaths, including two Australians, a British woman, an American and two Danish tourists.
All affected tourists are believed to have consumed drinks containing methanol.
On Saturday, the Laos government released a statement on its Foreign Ministry website regarding the poisoning deaths.
The statement said the government was “deeply saddened” by the deaths of foreign tourists and expressed “its sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.”
The press release also specifies that an investigation was underway to determine the causes of the incident.
The Australian government has updated its asking residents to be mindful of the potential risk from spirits-based drinks, including cocktails.
