The heartbroken families of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles are asking the public to help cover the mounting costs of bringing their daughters’ bodies home after their deaths from methanol poisoning in Laos.
The 19-year-olds from Beaumaris, Melbourne Bay, were among six foreign tourists who died in an alleged binge drinking incident in the Southeast Asian nation.
Their families want to raise awareness about methanol poisoning and have started a GoFundMe in memory of the young women.
The page had raised more than $135,000 as of Monday morning.
“Tragically, their trip, along with that of visitors from different 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 states. of funds.
‘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.
“We want to honor the memory of Bianca, Holly and others affected by methanol poisoning by turning this tragedy into a mission for change.”
The description said the three main fundraising goals were to ease the financial burden on families, support existing initiatives and fund awareness campaigns.
Bianca Jones, 19, died from methanol poisoning while on vacation in Laos
Mrs Jones was traveling with her friend Holly Bowles, 19, who also died from methanol poisoning.
Among these burdens was helping families cover out-of-pocket expenses, including those incurred in bringing friends’ remains back to Australia.
The friends were on holiday in Laos when they fell ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular town of Vang Vieng.
They did not check out at Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 13 after going to Jaidee Bar.
Jones and Bowles were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents rushed to their beds.
Jones’ father said his daughter was on the trip of a lifetime and wanted to explore the world to meet new friends.
“His life had just begun,” Mark Jones told reporters in Bangkok on Saturday.
‘She was a young woman who had a zest for life.
“We will always miss our beautiful girl and hope her loss of life was not in vain.”
The couple became unwell while staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, a small town north of the Lao capital Vientiane.
Thai authorities have confirmed that Ms Jones died of “brain inflammation due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.
On behalf of both Australian families, Jones urged the Lao government to investigate the incident “to the fullest” to prevent it from happening again.
“We cannot allow our daughter’s passing… not to lead to change to protect others,” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was working closely with local authorities.