British tourist blinded for life after free methanol drinks

The Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng where British tourist Calum Macdonald was poisoned by methanol-laced drinks (Illustrative image) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) Getty Images

A British tourist has been permanently blinded after drinking free alcoholic drinks laced with methanol at a hostel in Laos. Calum Macdonald, 23, was among tourists who fell victim to methanol poisoning at Nana Backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng last November.

Six people tragically died from the same incident, including 28-year-old lawyer Simone White from Orpington, Kent. The other victims were Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21, American James Huston, 57, and Australian women Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19.

The tourists had consumed free whisky and vodka shots mixed with soft drinks that were contaminated with methanol. Calum noticed something was wrong with his vision the next day while crossing into Vietnam by bus.

The moment sight was lost

"We thought it was food poisoning and the light I was seeing was some kind of sensitivity," Calum said. He described seeing a "kaleidoscopic, blinding light" in his eyes and being unable to read signs.

The devastating reality became clear at their hotel in Hanoi. "I said to my friends, why are we sitting in the dark here? Let's turn on a light," Calum recalled. "And they informed me that the light was, in fact, already on."

Calum struggled to breathe and speak as he was rushed to hospital. Initial tests in Laos did not reveal the cause, but results confirmed after his return to England that it was linked to his drinks.

The deadly poison explained

Methanol is a toxic type of alcohol often found in cleaning products. Drinking methanol-laced alcohol initially causes hangover-like symptoms including dizziness, headaches and nausea.

Within 12 to 48 hours, symptoms can progress to seizures, blurred vision and blindness. As little as 30ml of methanol can be deadly, according to Médecins Sans Frontières, though treatment with dialysis within 10 to 30 hours can save lives.

The Independent reports that the toxic substance converts to formaldehyde then formic acid in the body, causing cellular oxygen depletion and organ failure.

Urgent warning for travellers

Calum wants young people planning gap years to understand the dangers of methanol poisoning. He has urged the Foreign Office to provide clearer warnings about countries where the risk is greatest.

"I think I definitely feel a sense of responsibility as someone who's been lucky enough to survive this, to try and get the message out," he said. "Because I know certainly, if I'd known about it, I wouldn't be in this situation."

He recommends avoiding spirits entirely when drinking alcohol in affected countries. Calum also wants universities to receive more information directly, as students are the age group most likely to consider such trips.

Growing campaign for awareness

The tragedy has sparked wider calls for action. According to the Daily Mail, a petition campaign calling for methanol awareness education in schools has exceeded 12,000 signatures.

Calum had met two of the victims - Danish friends Anne-Sofie and Freja - on a night out before the poisoning occurred. He now uses his survival to advocate for better travel safety education.

Sources used: "PA Media", "Mirror", "Daily Mail", "Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.