Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder became emotional as he paid tribute to Melbourne methanol poisoning victim Bianca Jones during his show in Sydney on Thursday evening.
The legendary grunge rocker was performing in front of a sold-out crowd when he paused the show to announce that the 19-year-old had died after spending a week in a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.
Vedder, 59, described the young victim’s death as a “senseless tragedy.”
“The only young woman, Bianca Jones, has passed away, and her friend Holly Bowles is hanging in there and we wish her well, and our thoughts are with the parents,” he said.
“We’re sending you everything we have today. We’re so sorry.’
Bianca and her best friend Holly Bowles spent time in Laos as part of a gap year trip they had been planning for years.
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder became emotional as he paid tribute to Melbourne methanol poisoning victim Bianca Jones during his show in Sydney on Thursday evening.
Holly is still fighting for life after both girls fell ill in a suspected mass methanol poisoning in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng on November 13.
The death toll rose to five overnight after British lawyer Simone Kent, 28, from Kent, died while at least seven other tourists remained in hospital.
Bianca’s family confirmed her death in a statement on Thursday.
“It is with the deepest of our hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,” the statement said.
“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love and prayers we have received from across Australia.
“The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time is truly humbling.
“We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief and begin to heal. Thank you for respecting our family’s space.
The legendary rocker was performing in front of a sold-out crowd when he interrupted the show to mention Bianca who died on Thursday after spending a week in a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.
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‘With sincere appreciation, Mark, Michelle and Lachlan Jones.’
Bianca and Holly had booked a four-night stay at the Nana Backpackers Hostel, where they had been drinking and playing cards at the bar on the night they were poisoned, before reportedly heading to Jaidee’s nearby party bar.
CCTV footage from inside the hostel shows the girls being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorcycle driven by a hotel staff member after they failed to check out of their room in time.
They were then rushed to separate hospitals in Udon Thani and Bangkok in neighboring Thailand.