Australian mother evacuated to Gold Coast after mysterious Fiji poisoning event at Warwick Resort

An Australian mother who was among the tourists poisoned at a Fiji resort last week has been medically evacuated with her daughter to the Gold Coast on Wednesday night.

The 49-year-old woman, who is yet to be named, is the last Australian to return home following the mass poisoning event in which seven people fell ill after drinking pina coladas at the Warwick Resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Last Australians return home after Fiji poisoning event.

The group — which included four Australians, one person from the US and two Fijians — was rushed to hospital with a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting and “neurological symptoms,” according to Fiji’s Health Ministry.

Two other Australian victims, Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, returned home on Monday.

No methanol has been found in any of the ingredients or liquor used in the cocktails seven people drank before becoming seriously ill, Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Villiame Gavoka said on Wednesday and the cause remains a mystery.

On Thursday, Gold Coast reporter Tamra Bow spoke about the woman’s return to Australia on Sunrise.

“She arrived into Coolangatta Gold Coast Airport just before 8pm local time,” Bow said.

“She was loaded on to a stretcher, brought back ambulance here to Tweed Valley Hospital and will no doubt be hoping for clearance so she can make the onward journey to Sydney soon.

“On Saturday, she and others including her daughter ingested a toxic substance while drinking a pina colada at a five star hotel. That led to four days in intensive care.

“Finally, she was given the clearance to come back home.

“While a lot of people were expecting to hear this was yet another case of methanol poisoning, we are hearing that is not the case.

“Further testing has been conducted on the ingredients used to make those cocktails at that resort. Not a single trace of methanol was detected.

“At this stage, they have ruled out the possibility of alcohol poisoning. Fiji authorities staying tight-lipped on the exact cause for now.”

On Wednesday, Fiji’s Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said the incident was “very isolated” and declined to speculate on the cause of the poisoning event.

“Everyone is in a state of disbelief that this has happened,” he said,

When asked about the possibility of methanol poisoning, he said: “That’s something we don’t believe is possible in Fiji.”

He said there was no indication of any deliberate action.

Gavoka is now working to reassure international travellers Fiji remains a safe destination.

The island nation attracts nearly one million tourists each year.

Warwick Fiji Resort said it is co-operating with health authorities and conducting its own investigation.

“At this moment, we do not have conclusive details but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests,” it said.

The incident comes just a month after Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died in Laos after consuming drinks laced with methanol in Laos.

- With AAP