Bianca Jones’ Parents Warn Schoolies of Methanol Poisoning Risk on October 9

Mark and Michelle Jones returned to Mentone Girls Grammar on October 9 to warn students about methanol poisoning, nearly two years after their daughter Bianca, 19, died from drinking tainted alcohol at a Laos hostel in November 2024. Six people died in the incident. The parents, working with DrinkWise, aim to educate young travellers about a risk most Australians had never heard of before Bianca’s death.

How Bianca and five others died in Vang Vieng

Bianca Jones and her best friend Holly Morton-Bowles were among six people who died after consuming methanol-laced alcohol at a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, in November 2024. Both died in Thai hospitals surrounded by their families. Before Bianca’s death, the national conversation around methanol poisoning abroad was limited. Mark said he had long discussions with his daughter about drinking responsibly while travelling, but neither parent knew about the specific danger of methanol.

Why parents are speaking out now

Mark and Michelle emerged from their grief to prevent other families from suffering the same loss. “No one should ever have to bury their child,” Mark told nine.com.au. “The last thing we want is for other people to go through what we’re going through.” In partnership with DrinkWise, the couple recently returned to Mentone Girls Grammar, where Bianca had fostered her dreams of becoming an “agent of change.” During the visit, they spoke to students and parents about responsible drinking and the real dangers of methanol poisoning.

What methanol poisoning looks like

Methanol is often added to cheap spirits in countries with weak alcohol regulation, particularly Southeast Asia. It cannot be smelled or tasted in drinks. Mark stressed that inexpensive alcohol or drinks that seem “too good to be true” carry higher risk. Symptoms of methanol poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and vision problems, but by the time they appear, organ damage may already be severe.

The warning for Australian schoolies

With schoolies season approaching, Mark and Michelle are urging young Australians to know the warning signs and avoid risky drinking situations abroad. They emphasise that the tragedy was preventable with proper awareness. The Jones family understands that young Australians often indulge while travelling, but education about methanol can save lives.

Final Thoughts

Bianca Jones’ parents have turned their grief into a public health campaign, warning Australian teenagers about a poison that killed their daughter and five others in Laos. With schoolies season underway, their message is urgent: know the risks before you travel.

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