When Calum Macdonald crossed into Vietnam, he found himself blinded by a "kaleidoscopic" light, unable to read the documents in front of him. His journey began in Vang Vieng, Laos, a vibrant party destination where, just the previous night, he had indulged in free whisky and vodka shots at a hostel. Calum, now 23, soon realized his vision problems were serious when he arrived at his hotel and remarked to friends about the lights being off when they were, in fact, on. His deteriorating eyesight was a sign of methanol poisoning, a dangerous condition he and several others contracted during their stay.
Tragically, Calum was among several individuals affected by a mass poisoning incident in November last year that resulted in six fatalities, including two Danish travelers he had interacted with. In light of these tragic events, Calum is collaborating with the families of three other British victims to push for clearer warnings from the Foreign Office regarding the risks associated with alcohol in certain vacation spots.
Among those affected was Simone White, who texted her mother about her wonderful holiday just a day before becoming critically ill after similar free shots at the hostel. Her mother, Sue, received a heart-wrenching call about Simone's dire condition, resulting in her travel to Laos for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, Simone succumbed to the poison on arrival.
Methanol, a toxic form of alcohol commonly found in some cleaning products and fuels, can contaminate cheap alcoholic beverages, resulting in serious harm or death. Symptoms often appear similar to hangover effects, which complicate recognition and prompt treatment. The charity Doctors Without Borders indicates a continuing rise in such poisonings in Southeast Asia.
Another victim, Kirsty McKie, succumbed to methanol poisoning last year after drinking at home in Bali. A friend, who also consumed the same contaminated alcohol but survived, described grappling with feelings of guilt and unknowing.
Amid these personal tragedies, Cheznye Emmons also lost her life after consuming gin trapped with extraordinarily high methanol levels. Her mother's account reflected the anguish of witnessing her daughter's fears before her last moments.
In light of his experience, Calum advises tourists to steer clear of free drinks and suggest safer alternatives, such as local beers. He is navigating blindness with plans to train with a cane and hopes to acquire a guide dog. Driven by the loss of others, he feels a responsibility to advocate for better safety practices among travelers.
The Foreign Office has acknowledged the threat of methanol poisoning, indicating ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the risks for UK citizens traveling abroad while collaborating with local agencies for preventative measures.
