Calum Macdonald, a 23-year-old tourist, lost his sight after unknowingly consuming methanol-contaminated alcohol while staying at a hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos. He first noticed problems with his vision at the Vietnamese border, describing a “kaleidoscopic blinding light.” Six people died in the same incident, including two Danish girls he had met. Methanol poisoning is common in Southeast Asia due to poorly manufactured spirits, and its symptoms often resemble a hangover before escalating to blindness, seizures, or death.
Other victims include Simone White, a 28-year-old Briton who died after drinking free hostel shots in Laos, and Kirsty McKie, who passed away in Bali after unknowingly consuming toxic alcohol at home. Similarly, Cheznye Emmons died in Sumatra after drinking gin found to contain extremely high levels of methanol. Survivors and families of victims describe the shock and devastation of losing loved ones so suddenly, with many saying they had no idea of the risks.
Calum now campaigns alongside bereaved families to raise awareness of methanol dangers, urging tourists to avoid free spirits and stick to safer options like beer. He stresses that surviving, even with blindness, made him feel responsible for warning others. The UK Foreign Office has acknowledged methanol poisoning as a serious global issue and says it is working with authorities and travel industries to spread awareness and improve safety for travelers.
