Heartbreaking public tribute to Aussie friends who died from methanol poisoning while on holiday

Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles’ friends have decorated their suburb with tributes in memory of their loved ones, as loved ones appeal for money to bring their remains back to Australia.

The 19-year-olds from Beaumaris, in Melbourne’s south-east, were among six foreign tourists killed after a mass methanol poisoning in Laos last week.

Local Federal MP Zoe Daniel said people in the Bayside community had chosen a special public tribute in support of the teenagers’ families.

“Those who live in Beaumaris and the surrounding area will know that blue and yellow ribbons are hanging from trees and fence posts throughout the community… just to acknowledge the passing of Holly and Bianca and as a show of love for them and their families,” she told ABC Radio Melbourne.

“It’s just really important to know how many people are connected to these girls and these families, especially young people… it’s really an incredibly difficult time for all those children.”

Their families want to raise awareness about methanol poisoning and have started a GoFundMe in the memory of their daughters.

The page raised more than $195,000 as of Monday afternoon.

“Tragically, their trip, along with visitors from several countries, was cut short when they fell victim to methanol poisoning – a hidden danger that claimed their lives just one day apart,” the fundraising page said.

Mrs Jones was traveling with her friend Holly Bowles, 19, (pictured), who also died from methanol poisoning

‘This campaign, organized by Bianca and Holly’s families, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of methanol poisoning – a silent but deadly risk that often claims lives without warning.’

The three main objectives of the fundraiser are to alleviate the financial burden on families, support existing initiatives and fund awareness campaigns.

One of these burdens was helping the families meet their own expenses, including returning their remains to Australia.

Former Home Secretary Clare O’Neil said plans are in place to help the teenagers’ loved ones prepare for their return to Australia.

“DFAT is working with the two families here and I know as a government we will do everything we can to support them,” she told ABC Radio.

“Both in the grieving process that they have to do here and in the work that they are trying to do to get some of the issues that have arisen abroad addressed.”

The friends were on holiday in Laos when they fell ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular city of Vang Vieng.

The couple became unwell while staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, a small town north of the Laos capital Vientiane.

Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate hospitals in Bangkok after their parents rushed to their bedside.

Two young Danish women, a British lawyer and an American man in his 50s also died from the contaminated drinks.

A New Zealander who was among those poisoned has left Laos and returned home, according to the country’s embassy in Bangkok.

Mrs Jones’ father said his daughter was on the trip of a lifetime and wanted to explore the world to meet new friends.

“Her life was just beginning,” Mark Jones told reporters in Bangkok on Saturday.

“We will miss our beautiful girl forever and hope her loss of life is not in vain.”

Thai authorities have confirmed that Ms Jones died of ‘brain swelling due to high levels of methanol in her system’.

Mr Jones urged the Lao government to fully investigate the incident to prevent it from happening again.