Expat fights for life from suspected methanol poisoning in Bali, sparking new alert for Aussie travellers

Australian travellers preparing for overseas adventures have been issued a stark warning after an expat was left critically unwell from suspected methanol poisoning in Bali.

Andrei Borodin, 32, remains in a coma at BIMC Hospital in Nusa Dua, where he was rushed after being found unresponsive in his room on Sunday after a drinking session.

It is unclear how much he drank, where he spent the night and who he had been with.

While testing returned a negative result for methanol, doctors believe it was the “most likely cause” of his condition but may not have been detected because it had already metabolised, medical documents show.

The Russian expat’s network of friends say Borodin’s situation is “extremely serious”.

They are now desperately fundraising to cover his medical bills and organise a care flight back to his homeland.

The incident comes almost 12 months after the tragic deaths of Victorian teens Holly Bowles and Bianco Jones in a mass methanol poisoning incident in Laos, and has turned the spotlight on drinking safety overseas.

Australian man Colin Ahearn, who has run Facebook advisory page Just Don’t Drink Spirits in Bali for close to a decade, said he was contacted by Borodin’s friends, who did not know where else to turn.

“I’m a father-of-four, a pop-of-seven — this resonates with me and I think it should resonate with anyone who sees it,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.

“When the girls died in Laos, we all stood up and took notice.

“Andrei is someone’s child, it’s quite sad.”

While eight in 10 Australians under 30 are aware of methanol poisoning risks, 30 per cent have consumed drinks with unfamiliar labels and 17 per cent admit drinking from shared jugs or buckets, research from The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Insurance Council of Australia showed this week.

The Australian government also recently warned of the risks overseas, with new resources on making smart drinking choices and information for parents added to the Smart Traveller website.

Methanol is a clear liquid that looks similar to ethanol, the alcohol in drinks. Methanol, which is sometimes substituted because it is cheaper, is highly toxic and can be deadly.

Ahearn said that at this point, there is “no excuse for you not to know” about the dangers.

“There are so many safe options in Bali — premixes, beers, wines and ciders — but the moment you let someone crack a bottle from behind the bar to pour you a drink, the chances of you being part of the 1 per cent club and getting methanol poisoning goes up,” he said.

“It’s not just Bali. I’ve been probably 60 times. I don’t say these things to s..t-can Bali. I still love it, I rave about it.

“I do it so people don’t get hurt, so people can go on a holiday and come home safely.”