British girl blinded after her drink is spiked in Zante
A BRITISH holiday girl has been blinded after her drink was spiked during a night out on the Greek island of Zante.
Hannah Powell, 20, was rushed to hospital after she woke up unable to see
Hannah Powell, 20, who is also suffering from acute kidney failure, was rushed to hospital when she woke up unable to see and in extreme pain.
Her parents, Christine, 51, and Derek, 56, have flown out from their home in Ormesby, Middlesborough, to be at her bedside, where she is on a dialysis machine.
It is believed her drink was spiked with methanol, a clear highly toxic fluid used as a cheap alcohol substitute, which is often found in anti-freeze and paint stripper.
Christine said: “Her kidneys have completely gone. She’s on dialysis every day.
It is believed her drink was spiked with methanol, a clear highly toxic fluid
“She hasn’t recovered. She can see tiny bits but it isn’t good. She can only see some shapes.
Her kidneys have completely gone. She’s on dialysis every day
“The police came to talk to us and have done a report. They think it could be methanol that is responsible but the investigation is ongoing.
“We just want to get her home. She’ll have to go in an air ambulance. She can’t travel on a normal one.”
Her parents, Christine, 51, and Derek, 56, have flown out to be by her bedside
Local police are investigating.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are providing support to a British national after she was hospitalised in Zante, Greece.
The Greek island of Zante is very popular with young British tourists
“We are in contact with her family and working closely with local authorities.”