Mum of Former Wilmington Grammar Student Simone White Remembers Daughter’s Final Moments in Laos

The mother of a British woman who died after drinking alcohol suspected to be laced with methanol while holidaying in Laos has shared the heartbreaking final moments with her daughter.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington, was taken to hospital after the incident in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacking town. She later died after her condition deteriorated. Her mother, Sue White, described the experience as “soul-destroying.”

Sue received a message from Simone’s friend, Bethany, informing her that both women were in the hospital with acidosis. Sue booked a flight to Laos, believing her daughter would recover. However, she received a call before her flight, asking for permission to perform brain surgery on Simone.

“As soon as they said brain surgery I just knew she wasn’t going to make it. Like mother’s intuition … I just knew,” Sue said.

After arriving in Laos following a 17-hour flight, Sue learned the surgery had not gone well. A CT scan showed Simone had only 5% brain function, which dropped to zero the next day. Sue and Bethany sat by Simone’s bedside, talking to her and playing voice notes during her final days.

“I’m so grateful I was there by her bedside,” Sue said. “But it was absolutely soul-destroying. Obviously, that picture is going to be in my mind forevermore.”

Image Source: KentOnline.com

Due to religious reasons, doctors could not turn off Simone’s life support, leaving Sue to make the heartbreaking decision herself. “It was awful. I had my husband and my son on the end of the phone, but I was in the room on my own,” Sue recalled. “I turned the machine off and then 30 seconds later the backup ventilator came into operation. It was just horrific.”

Simone, a former Dartford schoolgirl who attended Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, was described by her mother as “very extrovert, hugely popular … Loved to play hard and work hard. She was vibrant, sporty, musical. She just loved life and … used to make the most of every minute.”

Simone’s last message to her mother read: “It’s the best trip I’ve done, I’m having the time of my life.”

Authorities in Laos are still investigating the incident, but Sue and Bethany have not received any statements or information regarding those responsible. “They’re not releasing any information, no statements or anything. I think it’s very unlikely any individual anyway, will be convicted of the crime ever,” Sue said.

Bethany recalled that the night before falling ill, she and Simone were at Nana Backpacker’s Hostel in Vang Vieng. She saw a bartender pour shots from a “typical vodka bottle” and ordered Sprite to mix with the shots. The hostel owner has denied that drinks served at the bar caused the poisoning.

Bethany and Simone consumed five or six shots over two and a half hours. The next day, both women felt unwell but initially thought it was not a typical hangover. Their symptoms worsened, leading them to seek medical help. Simone’s condition rapidly declined, and despite being transferred to a private hospital, “it was just too late,” Bethany said.

Simone was one of six tourists who died after staying at Nana Backpacker’s Hostel, which has since been closed. Bethany has started a petition for UK schools to educate children about methanol poisoning. Sue is calling for drink-testing strips to be made widely available for travellers.

“Simone wouldn’t like her death to have been in vain. She just loved life so much. She would have been furious to think her life would have been cut that short,” Sue said.