When 23-year-old Calum Macdonald arrived at the Vietnamese border, he was met with a surreal visual experience—he was surrounded by a "kaleidoscopic blinding light" that left him incapable of recognizing the essential paperwork laid before him. Just hours prior, he had been traveling with friends from Vang Vieng, a notorious tourist hotspot in Laos, where free alcoholic shots were commonplace at the hostel where they stayed. Calum, mixing free whiskey and vodka with soft drinks, remained unaware of the looming danger.
Initially, he and his friends dismissed his shocking vision change as mere food poisoning. It wasn’t until they reached their destination in Vietnam that the gravity of his condition became evident when Calum insisted to his friends that someone should turn on a light in their hotel room, ignorant to the fact that the lights were already illuminated.
Now permanently blind, Calum bravely recounts his experience, shedding light on the mass methanol poisoning incident that swept through Vang Vieng in November, claiming six lives, including two Danish girls he had interacted with during his stay.
In the wake of this tragedy, Calum has aligned himself with the families of other British individuals who suffered similarly horrific fates from methanol poisoning while abroad. They are appealing to the Foreign Office for improved information and warnings concerning the risks associated with alcohol consumption in areas where methanol could pose a serious threat.
One poignant story from this tragic series is that of Simone White, who, just one day after Calum's departure from Vang Vieng, also indulged in the free alcohol offer. She texted her mother exclaiming it was "the best holiday" she ever had. Tragically, after a hospital admission, Simone would succumb to methanol poisoning.
Methanol, often used in cleaning fluids and fuels, is hazardous when ingested, especially if it contaminates alcoholic beverages. The symptoms can closely mimic those of regular alcohol consumption, making it challenging for victims to recognize they are in danger. As per Medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF), defective production of alcohol is a widespread issue in Southeast Asia, with many fatalities reported annually.
Among the many affected, Kirsty McKie, who passed away in 2022 after unknowingly consuming contaminated spirits, shared her painful story through her friends. On a separate island, Cheznye Emmons tragically succumbed to a drink that contained a staggering 66,000 times the permissible limit of methanol. Her mother vividly recalled her daughter's fear on her last day alive.
Calum's cautionary advice to tourists is firm — avoid free drinks altogether and opt for locally brewed beers instead. He acknowledges that his fortunate survival stems from a tragic comparison; the losses faced by friends and acquaintances impacted him heavily. Now, as he adapts to life without sight, he aims to raise awareness around methanol poisoning, hoping to prevent future tragedies.
The Foreign Office recognizes methanol poisoning and counterfeit alcohol as severe risks in some areas and claims to work closely with travel authorities to address the concern.
The sad messages continue to resonate across families affected, calling for better education for tourists regarding methanol poisoning and international standards for alcohol safety abroad.
