British woman becomes fifth person to die from poisoning after drinking alcohol on holiday

A UK holidaymaker has tragically died on holiday in South East Asia, after consuming alcohol which had been poisoned with methanol.

Kent-local Simone White, 28, had been travelling through Laos, where she fell ill after drinking 'free shots' on a night out in Vang Vieng.

The news comes after four other individuals died in the mass poisonings - includes one Australian traveller, two from Denmark, and one from the States.

A number of other individuals were also taken to hospital following the incident.

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have now said in a statement: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities."

The firm is also working closely alongside White's family at this time.

Prior to her death, the keen traveller worked as a lawyer at global firm Squire Patton Boggs - which focussed on commercial matters and property law.

Several of the victims - including White - had been staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel before falling ill.

It wasn't until they failed to check out that staff raised the alarm.

Speaking about the dangers of methanol - which is sometimes used illegally as a more cost efficient alternative to ethanol - Professor Alastair Hay, Professor (Emeritus) of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Leeds told press: "The risk from methanol is twofold.

"Methanol breaks down in the body to formaldehyde and then formic acid. The formic acid upsets the acid/base balance in blood and the major consequence is initially the effect on someone’s breathing.

"There are effects on many other organs the kidney being one. The disturbance of acid/base balance and disrupted breathing will eventually affect the heart and it will stop functioning.

"Formaldehyde attacks nerves, particularly the optic nerve and blindness is a potential risk.

"Depending on the severity of poisoning, treatment may require dialysis to remove methanol from blood whilst at the same time keeping someone mildly drunk by administering ethanol.

"If the poisoning is not too severe, and only blood tests will determine this, ethanol alone may suffice."

19-year-old Australian Bianca Jones was amongst those to have died whilst receiving treatment in Thailand.