Family in disbelief as 19yo remains on life support after apparent Laos methanol poisoning

The parents of Holly Bowles remain by her side in a Thai hospital where she is on life support after apparent methanol poisoning. (Facebook) In short: Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, continue to fight for life in Thai hospitals after the Melbourne friends drank alcohol apparently tainted with methanol in Laos. Ms Bowles's parents remain by her side as her Australian family rallies. The ABC has been unable to confirm with police in Laos whether they are investigating the incident. The uncle of a young Melbourne woman who is on life support after drinking tainted cocktails in Laos says her family is struggling to come to terms with what has happened. They were transferred to two separate hospitals in Thailand — one in Bangkok and the other in Udon Thani, in the country's north-east — where they are fighting for their lives. The young women were staying at a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular party town north of the Laotian capital, Vientiane. According to the owner of the Nana Hostel, they had been out drinking at a nearby bar last Tuesday night and, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, were taken to a hospital in Vientiane after falling ill. It is understood at least two people have died and at least 10 have fallen ill after drinking the tainted alcohol. The friends were on a backpacking holiday in Laos. (Reuters: K Yoganand/WWF) In an emotional interview, Mr Bowles said the extended family was trying to make sense of what had happened. He said those back home in Australia were doing everything they could to support Holly’s parents as they maintained a bedside vigil in Thailand. "It's so difficult when you’re so far away," Mr Bowles said. "There's just a sick feeling in your stomach that just doesn't go away. “We’re a small family, we’re a tight family, we come together in tough situations and there’s none tougher than this." Mr Bowles said the family was holding out for positive news as his niece remained on life support. "It's just a day-by-day process at the moment," he said. "At this point … all we can ask her to do is just keep fighting." The owner of the Nana Backpacker Hostel denies the allegedly poisoned drinks were served there. (Facebook: Nana Backpacker Hostel) A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the government was providing consular assistance to two Australians and their families in Thailand. "Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time," he said. "Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment." Duong van Huan, the owner of Nana Hostel, denied the pair consumed the drinks at his hostel. "A lot of people are writing it happened in our hostel but no," he told the ABC. "This has never happened at the hostel. My business takes care of everyone. We never do anything wrong." The ABC has been unable to confirm with police in Laos whether they are investigating the incident. Methanol is a clear liquid chemical that is often deliberately and illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol. Consuming even a small amount can be fatal. Other travellers have posted warnings on social media about possible methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng.