Laos methanol poisoning victim's dad breaks silence with heartbreaking tribute to teen daughter
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The dad of a 19-year-old teenager who died of a suspected methanol poisoning in Laos last month has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his daughter. Holly Bowles, from Australia, had been travelling across South East Asia with her best mate Bianca Jones when they suddenly fell ill after consuming an alcoholic drink, which was believed to be poisoned with methanol. The pair had gone abroad to celebrate their graduation from school. They were among six tourists to tragically die over a few days in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.
Holly's dad, Shaun Bowles, paid a touching tribute to his daughter and described her as "everything you'd want your daughter to be." "They were having an unbelievable time, just having so much fun, doing what two 19-year-old girls should be doing," Shaun Bowles told the BBC's Today Programme. "They were just having an absolute blast," he said.
Bianca's dad Mark is "best friends" with Shaun, which they said has brought them even closer together. "It's just bizarre to be going through the same thing with your best friend. Just being together and just talking helps us get through the days," he said.
Shaun said he had spoken to his daughter every few days, while Holly's mum, Sam, was in constant contact with her and spoke to her "every second.". The 19-year-olds were found unresponsive at the Nana Backpacker hostel after they failed to check out, and were rushed to hospital. Shaun said his family were told of the devastating news through a friend of the girls, which lead to the two mum's flying straight out to Thailand that evening.
