Tributes have continued to flow for two Melbourne teenagers who died while holidaying in southeast Asia, after the death toll from a suspected methanol poisoning in Laos rose to six.
Holly Bowles, 19, died on Friday in a Bangkok hospital, one day after her best friend, Bianca Jones, also 19, died in another Thai hospital.
The women from Beaumaris in Melbourne’s south-east had been on holiday in Laos last week when they, along with a dozen other tourists, became ill in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.
The suspected methanol poisoning event in Vang Vieng has been linked to six deaths so far, including the two Australians, a British woman, an American and two Danish tourists. It’s believed all the affected tourists consumed drinks laced with methanol.
Bowles’ death was confirmed on Friday, along with that of British lawyer Simone White, whose parents said they were “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”.
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On Saturday, the Beaumaris Football Club, for whom both Melbourne women had played, posted a tribute to Bowles, whose death was confirmed as fellow players had gathered for a private get together to commemorate Jones.
“In somewhat poignant circumstances, news of Holly’s passing came to light as our Senior playing group came together in solidarity last night. As a club, we continue to be heartened by the countless messages of support we have received,” the club said in a Facebook post on Saturday.
“The Bowles and Jones families appreciate with gratitude the overwhelming outpouring of love they have received, in this their darkest hour.”
The club said that players from its women’s team have begun tying blue and yellow ribbons – the club’s colours – in and around their homes and throughout the local community “as a sign of solidarity and unity”.
“The Beaumaris community is a tight knit one and we will continue to feel this loss for some time to come. Two beautiful lives lost, both with so much potential, love and spirit, leaves us both numb and without words,” the club said in the Facebook post.
“The Beaumaris Football Club will continue to honour Holly and Bianca by continuing to uphold our values of togetherness, care, compassion and mateship. Their impact on all of us will forever be remembered with a deep sense of gratitude, primarily due of their generosity of spirit and their innate ability to unite people.”
Bowles’ parents confirmed her death on Friday, saying they were always so incredibly proud of their daughter and she was “now at peace”.
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” they said.
“Holly was living her best life travelling through Southeast Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.”
Frank’s cafe, where Bowles worked for more than two years, also paid tribute to their co-worker, whom they described as a “staple” of the team.
“Holly was the best of us. She was sweet, incredibly kind, reliable, funny, diligent, hardworking and extremely capable,” the cafe posted on Instagram.
“Believe me when I say that I couldn’t fault her.”
Thai authorities have already confirmed Jones had died of “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.
The local federal MP Zoe Daniel offered her condolences to the teens’ families, friends and local community.
“Both of these young friends were on the trip of a lifetime, a journey countless young Australians have enjoyed for generations,” she said.
“That they were cruelly lost to a methanol poisoning event in Laos, so far from home, when they were supposed to be having the time of their young lives makes the pain all that more acute.”
The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Laos, telling residents to be alert to the potential risk of spirit-based drinks including cocktails.
