Bethany Clarke Calls for Methanol Awareness in Schools After Loosing Best Friend

A heartbreaking incident involving methanol poisoning has led a grieving best friend to launch a petition pushing for greater awareness about the dangers of bootleg alcohol. Bethany Clarke recovered after surviving the same toxic exposure that tragically killed her friend, Simone White, during a trip to Laos.

The two friends, both 28 and from the UK, had been enjoying a night out in the tourist town of Vang Vieng last November. After taking six shots at a local bar, both became seriously ill the next day while kayaking. Initially diagnosed with food poisoning, their conditions worsened quickly. Simone, a lawyer from Bromley, southeast London, passed away, while Bethany Clarke battled through a painful recovery in hospital.

Authorities in Laos later confirmed methanol poisoning as the likely cause. Five other tourists — including two Danish women, two Australians, and an American man — also lost their lives after drinking at the same bar. Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky, the suspected drinks, have since been banned, and several arrests have been made, including the factory owner.

Bethany, now back in the UK, is campaigning to have methanol awareness added to school curriculums through her petition. “Simone was the most sensible person you could meet… If this could happen to her, it could happen to anyone,” Bethany told Metro. “It’s very hard to come to terms with losing your best friend in this way. That’s why I’m doing this petition.”

She believes education is the key to saving lives, especially for young people who may travel later in life. “It’s not saying don’t do this or that—it’s just pointing out the potential problems.”

The petition currently has nearly 1,800 signatures. With 10,000, it could trigger a government response. At 100,000, it would be considered for debate in Parliament.

Read More: Dominique McShain cause of death – TikTok star dead at 21