Survivor of Methanol Poisoning Shares Harrowing Experience of Sudden Blindness**

After experiencing a kaleidoscopic light leading to his total blindness, Calum Macdonald recounts the dangers of methanol poisoning that claimed the lives of several others, calling for increased awareness in travel advisories.**

When Calum Macdonald crossed the Vietnamese border, he was met with a disorienting "kaleidoscopic blinding light." Recently disembarked from an overnight bus after a night of revelry in Vang Vieng, Laos, he realized something was terribly wrong with his sight. Alongside friends, he had taken advantage of the hostel’s offer of complimentary whisky and vodka mixed with soft drinks, unaware of the impending danger.

Upon reaching their hotel, Calum's friends wondered why he insisted they were sitting in the dark. The lights were indeed on; it was the deterioration of his vision that left him disoriented. “I had this kaleidoscopic, blinding light in my eyes to the point where I couldn’t see anything,” he recalled. At the age of 23, Calum is now completely blind and uses this opportunity to share his heart-wrenching story.

Calum was one of several victims in November 2022 affected by a tragic incident of mass methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng. Six lives were lost, including two Danish girls he had befriended during his stay at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Currently, he is working closely with families of other British victims to demand clearer warnings from the Foreign Office regarding methanol poisoning risks for travelers in Southeast Asia.

Among those tragically lost was Simone White, who, after enjoying the same free shots the day after Calum, succumbed to methanol poisoning. Her mother, Sue, received the devastating news that Simone was in a coma, ultimately leading to her daughter's untimely death. “It’s very hard to come to terms with what’s happened,” Sue reflected, underscoring the deep emotional scars left by this incident.

Methanol, commonly found in products like cleaning agents and fuels, can often contaminate alcoholic beverages, particularly in unregulated markets. The symptoms of methanol poisoning can mimic those of a typical hangover, leading to delayed recognition of the poisoning. If not treated promptly—within hours of consumption—the consequences can be dire, leading to blindness or death.

The tragic stories do not stop with Calum and Simone. Kirsty McKie died of similar poisoning while at home in Bali after drinking with a friend. Conversations about the incident continue to haunt those who survived, like Sonia Taylor, who grappled with the inexplicability of survival in such instances.

Cheznye Emmons from Sumatra also fell victim, consuming gin laced with alarmingly high levels of methanol, leading to her passing shortly after hospitalization. Her mother recalls Cheznye’s terror before succumbing to a fit, emphasizing the urgency of educating travelers about these risks.

In the face of these stark realities, Calum advocates for a prudent approach to drinking while traveling. He warns against accepting free drinks or unregulated spirits, suggesting that travelers stick to safer options, like local beer.

As he adapts to his new reality, learning to navigate with a cane while hoping to secure a guide dog, Calum expresses gratitude for surviving, even with life-altering consequences. “I felt a sense of responsibility to raise awareness about these dangers,” he said, acknowledging the deaths of others and the need to protect future travelers.

The Foreign Office has acknowledged the dangers of methanol poisoning and is reportedly working alongside local authorities and travel industries to enhance safety measures and better inform British citizens before they embark on their journeys abroad.