The best friend of a Newcastle graduate who died from methanol poisoning has described the addition of eight more countries to the methanol poisoning risk list as “heartbreaking.”
Simone White died in 2024 whilst backpacking in Laos, after contracting methanol poisoning from laced shots.
Travelling with her, Bethany Clarke described how the pair had initially put their symptoms down to a hangover and even continued with their plans kayaking at the Blue Lagoon the next morning. But it soon became apparent that this was not a hangover that they were dealing with.
via SWNS
Methanol is a colourless, scentless, toxic alcohol, consumption of which can be lethal. It is added to drinks as a cheaper way of increasing alcohol content and is common in the countries listed above where the bootleg alcohol trade is prevalent.
The countries where methanol poisoning previously posed a risk included Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica and Fiji.
Now included in the list are Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Uganda following incidents.
Many of these countries are popular back-packing destinations, with many issuing warnings to those embarking on the Banana Pancake Trail or a tour of South America this summer to stick to sealed or canned drinks.
Describing the incident that occurred at the hostel, 28-year-old Bethany said: “We had methanol-laced shots. We had five or six each, just mixing them with Sprite.
via Facebook
“The next morning, we didn’t feel right, but we just assumed it was a hangover. It was strange though – unlike any hangover I’d had before.
“It felt like being drunk but in a way where you couldn’t enjoy it. Something was just off. We were just lying on the backs of the kayaks, too weak to paddle. Simone was being sick off one of them.
“Neither of us wanted to swim or eat – which, we later learned, are early signs of methanol poisoning.”
Eventually the friends were taken to hospital and later moved to a private hospital. Simone was taken into emergency brain surgery but sadly died. Results later confirmed that it was Methanol poisoning that had been fatal.
Unfortunately, Simone White’s methanol poisioning case is not an isolated incident, and reports of methanol poisoning have continued since her death.
Bethany has since channeled her grief into campaigning for change and awareness, adding: “On an emotional level, its been a lot to process. Sometimes I still think ‘why don’t you reach out to Simone for that?’ and then I remember I can’t.”
She described how education on the risk in countries like Australia is far ahead of the UK and is concern that more Brits will die if the government does not do more.
“People still aren’t aware and don’t know the signs to look for. The government aren’t doing enough to educate British citizens about the signs of methanol poisoning.”
Now living in Brisbane, Australia, Bethany added how the news of more countries being added to the list as “heartbreaking” but says “there is a lot more work to be done”: “In Australia, where I live now, they have a big TikTok campaign and signs in all the airports. There’s a lot more work to be done in the UK – we’re behind.
“Anywhere there is organised crime, the opportunity exists – even in the UK. It happened in Scotland this year – after people found counterfeit bottles of vodka containing chemicals.”
Bethany reckons there will be more deaths until people become more aware: “It’s highly likely we’ll see more deaths unless the UK government act in a more radical way.
“It has to be in people’s heads – stick to canned drinks. But bottles can be more risky because the cap could have been replaced.
“Any spirits can be a risk. I say ‘steer clear drink beer’ which rolls off the tongue. It’s got to be in people’s heads – stick to canned drinks and sealed bottles you opened yourself.”
Featured image via SWNS
