The mother of a British lawyer who died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos has described her race from the UK to be by her daughter’s side as she underwent brain surgery.
Simone White, 28, was one of six tourists who died after drinking alcoholic drinks which are believed to have been laced with methanol in Vang Vieng.
Her mother, Sue White, has opened up for the first time about her death and the “horrendous” 16-hour journey to be with her as her condition deteriorated.
When the 61-year-old, from Orpington, arrived in South-East Asia, Simone was being wheeled into theatre for surgery.
“I knew when I had that phone call — I don’t know what it was, call it a mother’s intuition — but I knew that she was going to die,” she said.
It later became clear that her brain function was gone, and she died on Thursday, Nov 21.
Laos police detain eight Nana Backpackers Hostel employees for questioning while the owners deny serving illicit alcohol – Beatrice Siveiro
Mrs White told The Sunday Times: “The flight from the UK was horrendous.
“Before I left, I got a call from the hospital to say she needed urgent brain surgery and I had to give my consent.
“It was a terrible, terrible journey.”
Simone was a lawyer with global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, working in general commercial matters, including intellectual property law, according to the firm’s website.
‘Totally devastated’
She and her two childhood friends drank six free vodka shots from Nana Backpackers Hostel, where they were staying. They began to feel ill the next day, and as their condition worsened they decided to go to hospital.
Simone, who had recently bought a flat in Lewisham, died nine days after she and her friends drank the vodka. Her two friends recovered but are said to be traumatised.
Mrs White was told by doctors that while all the friends drank the same amount, people break down methanol differently within their metabolism, which in Simone’s case went “straight to her brain”.
“It was so unfortunate. It just affected Simone so much more than the other two,” she added.
Zak, Simone’s 23-year-old brother, is “totally devastated”.
‘It can happen to anybody’
Laos police have since detained eight hostel employees for questioning over the incident, while the owners denied serving illicit alcohol.
Neil White, 58, Simone’s father, said: “I hope that the police investigation brings those responsible to justice, both for Simone and all the other victims.
“We hope this raises awareness to all future travellers about the dangers of consuming local alcohol.”
Urging caution to fellow travellers, Mrs White told The Sunday Times: “Please be careful when it comes to drinks.
“Simone was a university-educated, highly intelligent person. If it can happen to her, it can happen to anybody.”
Laos keeping a tight lid
Police in Laos have detained several people in connection with the death of Ms White and five others, who are also believed to have been poisoned.
Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking parties and adventure sports.
Officials in Laos have released almost no details about the case, with the government keeping a tight lid on information.
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, two Australian friends, both aged 19, two Danish women, Frela Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and a US citizen, James Louis Hutson, 57, also died of methanol poisoning after staying at Nana Backpackers hostel.
