When Calum Macdonald arrived at the Vietnamese border, the administrative forms in front of him were unreadable, engulfed in a "kaleidoscopic blinding light." Having just disembarked an overnight bus from Vang Vieng, Laos, where he and his friends indulged in complimentary alcoholic drinks at a hostel, he began to sense something was amiss with his eyesight. "We assumed it was food poisoning," he recounted, noting that by the time they settled into their hotel room in Vietnam, he was bewildered to find the lights already on despite the darkness he saw.
Now 23 and permanently blind, Calum details his experience for the first time after being one of the victims of a mass methanol poisoning incident that claimed six lives in Vang Vieng last November. Among the deceased were Danish acquaintances he had met at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. In the aftermath of his ordeal, Calum has united with the families of three other British victims to push for stronger warnings from the Foreign Office about the dangers associated with methanol poisoning, particularly in Southeast Asia, where contaminated alcohol is a rampant issue.
One of the victims, Simone White, consumed the same free shots shortly after Calum left. In touch with her mother just before her hospitalization, where she later fell into a coma and subsequently died from methanol poisoning, Simone had described her trip as the "best holiday" of her life. Her mother, Sue, recalls the devastating moment when she was urged to authorize urgent brain surgery for Simone, a desperate situation that ended in tragedy.
Methanol, an extremely toxic type of alcohol commonly used in industrial applications, can be mistakenly ingested when poorly manufactured alcoholic beverages are served. As highlighted by the charity Doctors Without Borders, the effects of methanol poisoning can include symptoms akin to a typical hangover, complicating recognition of the danger. If not diagnosed swiftly, it can lead to severe consequences, including blindness or death, with as little as 30ml potentially fatal.
Kirsty McKie, who lived in Bali, fell victim to methanol poisoning in 2022 after sharing drinks with friends, unaware of the impending danger. Sonia Taylor, who survived, reflects on the randomness of their situation, amplifying the grief for those who did not.
The alarming accounts extend even further; Cheznye Emmons succumbed after consuming gin that contained 66,000 times the legal limit of methanol. Her mother's heart-wrenching recollection of Cheznye's last moments reveals the fear many now associate with the contaminated spirits.
Calum's cautionary advice to fellow travelers emphasizes avoiding free alcoholic drinks and opting for safer options, such as local beers. With the realization of the gravity of what transpired, he now navigates the world using a cane and actively seeks a guide dog, motivated by the need to prevent similar incidents for others.
The Foreign Office acknowledges methanol poisoning as a "serious problem" in various regions and claims to be collaborating with local authorities to address these safety concerns. Together with the families of those lost to this horrific toxin, Calum is advocating for heightened awareness to ensure tourists are better informed of the risks they face abroad.
