A British backpacker who drank two shots at a Laos hostel just two days before six people died went blind after she was also struck with suspected methanol poisoning.
The tourist became violently ill after being given the ‘free vodkas’ at Nana Backpacker Hostel.
She was struck with temporary blindness, was vomiting for a day and her resting heart rate reached a horrifying 170 beats-per-minute – double what it should be – when she was finally given medical help.
It came just days before six people – including a British lawyer – died from suspected methanol poisoning.
‘I just thought I was hungover, I spent the day going between my room and the toilet, just vomiting,’ she told the Herald Sun.
‘I had my eyes closed when I was walking to the toilet because I couldn’t see. I called my boyfriend and he said ‘please get some help, go to the hospital’.’
After drinking the shots shortly before 3pm she went ‘tipsy tubing’ – where tourists float down the fast-flowing Nam Song river.
She could not remember anything of the event – with three of her group of 15 becoming ill.
The town is a popular spot for young backpackers, especially those on a gap year or in their early 20s
Simone White, 28, from Orpington in Kent, died after drinking free shots at a Laos hostel allegedly laced with methanol
Simone White (left) and Bethany Clarke (right) both fell ill on holiday in Southeast Asia
Even as she searched for help, the stricken holiday-goer had to walk 500metres to the hospital.
And as her friends helped her walk the short distance, she had to stop for 20 minutes because she couldn’t breathe.
It was only after going on a saline drip for three hours that doctors were able to discharge her – after thinking that she was just a drunk tourist.
Speaking to the outlet, she said that she felt ‘so sad for Holly, Bianca, and their families. I just feel terrible for them.’
The tourist, who did not want to use her name, had met some of the six travellers who died after receiving suspected methanol poisoning.
The manager at the hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, has been taken in for questioning alongside a ‘number of people’.
Among the tragic six who died after also drinking free shots is British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent.
Her brother Zak told Metro how his family have gone through a ‘horrific’ time, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of Simone who he said was an ‘absolutely lovely’ and ‘brilliant’ sister.
The hostel remains open but is not currently accepting new guests (Pictured: Nana’s Backpackers bar)
Australian Holly Bowles (pictured), 19, passed away at a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, after spending 10 days on life support
The pair’s football club in Melbourne said the news was ‘tragic and distressing’
In a September video, the best friends were dancing happily together just weeks before their deadly backpacking trip
A neighbour in Orpington also told the publication: ‘She was an absolutely lovely girl from a lovely family and we all feel desperately sad for them, it’s heartbreaking.
‘She was very clever and a good friend to all. She had her whole life ahead of her, what a waste.’
‘We knew her and are obviously very upset and so is the whole street.’
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed her death on Thursday.
The government also said it was providing consular assistance to British nationals hospitalised in the incident, as well as their families.
They added that they are in contact with the local authorities regarding the British nationals affected.
In a statement, Ms White’s law firm said: ‘It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague Simone White.
‘Simone was a talented colleague with a bright future ahead of her and someone who epitomised (our firm’s) values.
Bianca Jones, 19, from Melbourne, sadly died after consuming alleged ‘methanol-laced’ drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos
Ms Jones was the fourth person to die after consuming alleged ‘methanol-laced’ drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos
‘Our thoughts go out to all of Simone’s family, friends and those colleagues and clients who had the privilege to work with and know Simone. She will be sincerely missed.’
Five others are currently known to have died, including two Australian teenagers, an American and two Danish tourists.
And other Brits are speaking of their relief after narrowly avoiding staying at the hostel.
Content creator Tasha Moore had booked to be there on the very same night, and only cancelled at the last minute.
The 22-year-old, from Manchester, now says her chance decision could have saved her life.
Speaking to Metro from Laos, she said: ‘I was booked in but changed my plans at the last minute – it was a decision that could have saved my life.
‘When I heard what had happened I couldn’t believe it. I could have been there that night and become one of the victims.’
She added: ‘My family were obviously worried and I know I have had a lucky escape. Those poor people were just having a good time. It’s heartbreaking.’
Content creator Tasha Moore had booked to be at the hostel on the very same night – but cancelled at the last minute
Staff at Nana Backpackers Hostel have been interrogated by police who have demanded to see bottles of spirits served on the night the poisoning occurred
Those poisoned in the incident are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.
Methanol is a colourless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and is a byproduct of bootlegged liquor. Consuming even a small amount can lead to blindness, multiple organ failure and death.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.
He said the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days earlier.
He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the alleged victims had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment in a Thai hospital.
A second Australian was reported to have died on Friday following the incident.
Australia said ‘several foreign nationals’ had been victims of methanol poisoning.
The three young women had been staying at Nana’s Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng
The US State Department confirmed that an American had died and Denmark’s Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died in ‘the incident in Laos’ but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning that killed Ms Jones.
Thai authorities confirmed Ms Jones died because of a ‘brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system’.
Landlocked Laos is one of south-east Asia’s poorest nations and a popular tourist destination.
Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.
Officials in Laos have released almost no details about the case, with the government keeping a tight lid on information.
The country is a one-party communist state with no organised opposition.