The best friend of a woman who died from methanol poisoning on holiday has called on the government to do more to educate teenagers in schools about the dangers of drinking alcohol abroad. Bethany Clarke was travelling in Laos in south-east Asia with childhood friend Simone White when they drank free shots they were offered in a hostel in November. The following day, they both became unwell and initially thought they had food poisoning. But, a few days later, 28-year-old Simone died in hospital. The Foreign Office and Department for Education have been contacted for a comment about Bethany's petition. Simone, who was from Orpington in south-east London, and Bethany planned to stay in Cambodia for just under two weeks, and spend four days in Laos. They fell ill after drinking six vodka shots served to them at the Nana Backpackers hostel in traveller hotspot Vang Vieng. Five other tourists also died after drinking at the hostel. Their drinks are thought to have contained methanol - a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. Medical specialists say drinking as little as 25ml of methanol can be fatal, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol. But Bethany, 28, tells BBC Newsbeat they didn't even realise anything was wrong until the next day. "This all happened on the fourth day of the trip. We did the tubing that day and that was good," she says. "It's difficult to obviously describe the timeline. I think when I realised it was all going wrong was when we were on the kayaks for a trip we were doing the following morning. So just over 12 hours on. "I guess that was when me and Simone were flat on the back of these kayaks, not being able to use our arms. We were just literally staring up into space. "That was a moment where I thought I really don't understand what's happening to us. It just seemed like I was just having to accept my fate." Bethany says even when they tried to get help, it took them a while to be treated for methanol poisoning and they had to search for information about it themselves. "The doctors kept saying it was food poisoning, which obviously didn't help with trying to treat what was going on," she says. "This is when our other friends said 'let's get to a private hospital'. In the ambulance on the way there our friend mentioned to the paramedic 'could it be methanol poisoning?' He'd done a little bit of research on his phone. "They rushed Simone off to have dialysis straight away and said to me 'look can you just sign these forms and we'll do our best to save her life?' "And yeah, they did their best." Bethany says the group trusted the hostel because the reviews were good but she's now urging others to be careful. "We didn't think we were doing anything stupid, but obviously now I do feel like I should have known more. "The advice is from me 'steer clear, drink beer'. Look up the symptoms, be mindful about where you're drinking. "Just don't let it be your best friend that dies from methanol poisoning." Bethany's also set up a petition calling for the dangers of methanol poisoning to be put on the school curriculum in the UK. It says "children should be taught the dangers of consuming bootleg alcohol as part of the PSHE and/or Biology curriculum in school". "I think it just needs to be a five minute talk or possibly even some kind of public health advert, just giving the case study of Laos and saying this can happen," she says. "If people want to take the risk and drink it, at least they've been educated and then they might even be able to spot some of the symptoms if they do happen to drink it." Bethany is currently working in Australia and has since made a full recovery. She says Simone was "so full of life, energetic, sporty, musical - there's 100 adjectives I could probably come up with". "She was just the best friend that anybody could hope for. "If you ever had a problem she'd always be trying to help you with it and she was just such a good listener." Listen to Newsbeatliveat 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen backhere.
'Don't let it be your best friend that dies from methanol poisoning'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Call for Increased Awareness of Methanol Poisoning Risks Following Tourist Death in Laos"
Bbc News
6.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Bethany Clarke has called for increased awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning after her childhood friend, Simone White, tragically died while on holiday in Laos. The two friends were enjoying their trip when they received complimentary shots at the Nana Backpackers hostel, which are now suspected to have contained methanol, a toxic substance often mixed into bootleg alcohol. After consuming the shots, both women initially believed they were suffering from food poisoning. However, their condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to Simone being hospitalized where she ultimately succumbed to the poisoning. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of travelers consuming alcohol in foreign countries, especially in locations known for unregulated drinking establishments. Five other tourists are reported to have died under similar circumstances at the same hostel, highlighting the critical need for better regulation and awareness of alcohol safety in such environments.
Bethany is now advocating for the UK government to include education about the risks of methanol poisoning in school curricula. She believes that by informing students about the dangers of consuming bootleg alcohol, they can better protect themselves while traveling. In her petition, she suggests integrating this education into the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education or Biology classes. Bethany emphasizes the importance of preventive education, noting that even a brief discussion could equip young people with the knowledge to recognize symptoms of methanol poisoning. Following the tragic loss of her friend, she reflects on their experience, expressing regret over not being more informed about the potential dangers. She encourages others to exercise caution and suggests that opting for beer over uncertain spirits can help avoid similar tragedies. Bethany, who has since recovered and is working in Australia, fondly remembers Simone as a vibrant and caring person, urging others not to let such a tragedy happen to their loved ones.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a tragic incident involving methanol poisoning in Laos, drawing attention to the dangers of consuming alcohol abroad, particularly for young travelers. The narrative centers on the experience of Bethany Clarke, whose friend Simone White died after consuming what is believed to be tainted alcohol during their trip. This story serves as a call to action for government authorities to enhance educational efforts around the risks associated with alcohol consumption in foreign countries.
Potential Motives Behind Publication
This article aims to raise awareness about the hazards of drinking alcohol in foreign locations, especially for young individuals who may not be fully aware of the risks. By sharing the personal story of loss, the author seeks to evoke emotional responses and encourage preventative measures from authorities.
Public Sentiment and Perception
The narrative could foster a sense of caution among travelers, particularly teenagers and their families, regarding the consumption of alcohol abroad. It may also generate public pressure on the government to take action, thus creating a collective demand for better safety measures and educational programs.
Concealed Aspects
While the primary focus is on the tragedy and the need for education, the article may not delve deeply into the broader implications of alcohol regulation or the effectiveness of existing educational campaigns. There is a possibility that the article could be omitting discussions on systemic issues related to alcohol production and distribution in tourist areas.
Manipulative Elements
The piece contains emotional storytelling that could be seen as manipulative. By focusing on the tragic loss of a young life, it may lead readers to feel a stronger urgency for change, potentially overshadowing other factors or solutions that might be discussed.
Truthfulness of Content
The factual basis of the article appears credible, as it references specific events and includes statements from individuals directly affected by the incident. However, the emphasis on emotional appeal may lead to a skewed perception of the broader context surrounding alcohol consumption abroad.
Community Impact
This piece is likely to resonate with communities concerned about youth safety and health, especially parents and educators. It may encourage discussions around responsible drinking and the need for travel safety education.
Economic and Political Repercussions
In the wake of this article, there could be increased scrutiny on tourism regulations and alcohol sales in foreign countries, potentially leading to policy changes. The implications for the travel and hospitality industry could be significant, especially in regions that rely heavily on tourism.
Stock Market Influence
While this specific incident may not directly impact stock prices, it could influence companies involved in tourism or alcohol sales, particularly if it leads to regulatory changes or shifts in public perception regarding travel safety.
Global Power Dynamics
The article reflects ongoing issues related to safety in international travel, which is a concern that resonates with broader global discussions about health regulations and tourist protections. This issue is relevant in the context of increasing travel post-pandemic.
Use of AI in Article Composition
It is uncertain whether AI was used in crafting this article, but the structured nature and clarity of information could suggest some level of digital assistance. AI might have influenced the narrative style, focusing on emotional engagement to enhance the story's impact.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, this article serves to highlight an urgent issue while also eliciting a strong emotional reaction from the audience. It effectively combines personal tragedy with a call for action, though it may also present a somewhat one-sided view of the complexities involved in alcohol consumption abroad.