Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones dies after falling ill from methanol cocktail poisoning

Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones died in a Thailand hospital, ten days after consuming drinks laced with methanol in Laos.

The 19-year-old and her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, were among a dozen other tourists who became ill in a suspected mass methanol poisoning event in the popular town of Vang Vieng last week.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Families united in grief in Thailand

The pair, from Beaumaris in Melbourne’s southeast, had been holidaying in Laos as part of a trip they had been planning for years when they reported feeling unwell on November 13.

Both teens were later taken to separate hospitals in Bangkok and their families flew from Melbourne to be at their bedsides.

Jones’ family confirmed her death on Thursday after she spent the past week on life support in Udon Thani.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,” they said in a statement to the Herald Sun.

“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.”

The family said they were humbled by the support they had received during what has been an “unimaginable time”.

7NEWS has been told the family will begin making preparations to bring her body home, however, this could take several weeks due to the police investigation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the 19-year-old in federal parliament on Thursday, as her friend Holly continues to fight for her life in a Bangkok hospital. He said Jones’ death was a “terrible and cruel loss”.

“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure. All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak,” he said during Question Time.

“Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come, memories that she should have carried with her into the long, bright future that lay ahead of her.

“It is beyond sad that this was not to be.

“We also take this moment to say we are thinking of Bianca’s friend, Holly Bowles, who is fighting for her life.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong also offered her sympathies to the Jones family and said drink spiking and methanol poisoning were “far too common in many parts of the world”.

“At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again,” she said.

On Wednesday, Bowles’ father Shaun Bowles said his daughter remained in a critical condition in hospital in Bangkok.

“Right now our daughter remains in the intensive care unit in a critical condition. She’s on life support,” he said.

“We’d just like to thank everyone from back home for all the support and love that we’re receiving but we’d also like for people to appreciate right now we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.”

Bowles’ former school, Beaumaris Secondary College, asked the community to keep the teenager in their thoughts.

“Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with Holly Bowles, her family, and everyone in our community during this incredibly difficult time,” the school said.

“We stand together, offering strength and support to Holly’s loved ones and to each other.”

The Australian teens, from Melbourne’s southeast, have been described as “valued members” of the Beaumaris Football Club, where they played football.

“The Beaumaris Football Club extends its love, best wishes and unconditional support to Holly and Bianca in their hour of need,” it said on Wednesday.

“By their deeds and involvement in the girls’ and women’s football programs, both Holly and Bianca have become cherished and highly respected members of the Beaumaris Sharks family.

“We acknowledge Holly and Bianca’s teammates and friends at the club are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred.”

A doctor told 7NEWS that methanol is a poison that can make you blind just by one shot. Two shots are potentially deadly.

Methanol is often deliberately added to drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, the compound that makes a drink alcoholic.

Australian man Colin Ahearn runs the Facebook advisory page Just Don’t Drink Spirits in Bali. He said methanol is often used in lower socioeconomic areas where people are struggling to make ends meet and could “make a quick buck”.

“Methanol is pretty cheap ... it can be bought online and in an industrial amount, and it’s often added to cheaper, nasty spirits,” he told 7NEWS.com.au on Wednesday.

“So, instead of imported, taxed, legitimate spirits ... methanol can be used.”

Ahearn said methanol is odourless and tasteless so “there’s not really any way of telling” if it is in your drink.

Mounting toll

Jones is the fourth person to die in the apparent mass poisoning following the deaths of two young Danish women and an American man, the US State Department confirmed.

A British woman is among several foreigners who remain in hospital.

Tourists in Laos say it has been a massive wake-up call.

How and why the poison ended up in the group’s drinks will form part of a major investigation.

Australian authorities are working with local police in Laos, although it could take some time before it is known if any criminal charges will be laid, 7NEWS has been told.

- with AP