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The devastated father of Holly Bowles has spoken for the first time since his 19-year-old daughter and her friend Bianca Jones suffered suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.
Holly's father, Shaun Bowles, who has been by her bedside at Bangkok hospital along with her mum and family friends, has told 9News that she is still fighting for life.
"Our daughter remains in the intensive care unit, in a critical condition. She's on life support," he said.
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"We would just like to thank everyone back home for all the support and love."
Bianca's family has this afternoon released a statement saying there was no update on her condition.
She is also on life support in a hospital in Udon Thani, about eight hours from where Holly is being cared for.
"Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia," the statement from the family reads.
"This is every parent's nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through. We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible."
The best friends, who were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, drank at the hostel before they went on to drink at Jaidee bar on November 11.
They then did not leave their dorm room for 24 hours before they reported feeling unwell last Wednesday and failed to check out as scheduled.
Two other travellers have died and at least a dozen people were reportedly hospitalised after also drinking the substance.
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Nana Backpacker Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan told the Associated Press that staff were alerted by other guests that the teenagers were unwell when they failed to check out.
Staff arranged transport to a hospital for them, with 9News obtaining vision of the girls being taken one-by-one on a motorbike.
Toan said that two days earlier the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel.
He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the teenagers had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
Vang Vieng is a tourist town particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.
Smartraveller has since changed advice for tourists travelling to Laos, writing "several foreign nationals, including Australians, have been victims in November 2024 of suspected cases of methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks".
"Be alert to the potential risks, particularly with spirit-based drinks including cocktails."
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'Dream getaway' turns to horror
Vigils have taken place in Melbourne's Bayside area as locals and people who knew the pair grapple with the horrific situation.
Bianca's family earlier issued a statement saying the two best friends had been on a "dream getaway".
"They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia," the statement read.
"We are here by Bianca's bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time."
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Holly, who had graduated from Beaumaris Secondary College just last year, had been spending her gap year travelling.
Her best friend, Bianca, had recently graduated from Mentone Girls' Grammar and started university this year.
The duo played for Beaumaris Football Club. Club president Nick Heath said many of their team-mates were "distraught".
"These sort of situations you sort of just read about from time to time, you don't ever expect to happen in your own circle," he said.
"As a football club, we feel a little bit inadequate. A lot of our their team-mates are obviously quite rightly distraught."
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Methanol is usually found in a range of products such as paint, fuel, and cosmetics, however, it is also sometimes illegally added to alcohol as a cheap substitute to ethanol.
Drinking even a small amount can be fatal.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed consular assistance was being offered to two Australians and their families in Thailand.
"Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time," a spokesperson said.
"Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment."
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