British lawyer is fifth person to die in suspected mass methanol poisoning

A British lawyer has become the fifth person to die in the suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos.

Simone White, 28, was among the tourists taken to hospital last week after an incident while backpacking in Vang Vieng.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was “supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities”.

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Ms White was among a group of British tourists being treated in hospital who allegedly drank drinks containing deadly methanol. It’s been reported up tp six British nationals have required treatment.

“We are providing consular assistance to British nationals and their families,” the FCDO said.

Ms White’s death came just hours after 19-year-old Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones died after being on life support for days.

Ms Jones was being treated in a Thai hospital, where authorities said she died from “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.

Ms Jones’s friend, Holly Bowles, also remains in hospital in critical condition.

An American and two Danish tourists have also died.

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