Aussie teen Holly Bowles dies after alleged methanol poisoning with her best friend in Laos – as police detain the hostel owner
Australian teenager Holly Bowles has died after suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday to Laos with her best friend.
The 19-year-old’s family confirmed she died in Bangkok hospital on Friday, surrounded by her loved ones.
Her best friend Bianca Jones also died in hospital a day earlier.
Ms Bowles is the fifth person to die after drinks were mixed with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular party town of Vang Vieng.
She and Mrs Jones had been on a gap year holiday when they both fell ill on November 12.
Staff became concerned after they failed to check out on November 13 and arranged to take the pair to hospital after they ‘calmly’ asked for help.
CCTV footage from the hostel shows one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorcycle driven by a hotel staff member.
Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen, a 56-year-old man, in Vang Vieng.
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that two young women from Denmark have also died.
There’s more to come