A GRIEVING dad has released a tribute song in memory of his daughter who died after unknowingly drinking methanol-laced alcohol while backpacking in Indonesia.
Brenton Emmons wrote The Best Part of Me in honour of his daughter, Cheznye, as part of an ongoing campaign to warn holidaymakers about the dangers of counterfeit alcohol abroad.
Cheznye Emmons, from Great Wakering, was just 23 when she died in 2013 after drinking from a branded gin bottle that had been contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic form of alcohol sometimes used in counterfeit spirits to cut production costs.
More than a decade later, Mr Emmons hopes the song will raise awareness and prevent other families suffering the same loss.
He said: “I was a young parent and would have loved to go backpacking, so when she said she was going I was all for it. But I didn’t have the awareness of the risk of methanol to warn her to be careful.
“That’s what we’re trying to give to other parents because it’s still happening now.
“It was very emotional performing it. There’s a lot of anger that’s built up over the years from losing my little girl and from the fact it’s still happening to other families.
“If it saves even one family from going through what we did, then it’s made a difference.”
The song has been released in partnership with charity Methanol Awareness, which campaigns to educate travellers about the risks of counterfeit alcohol.
Methanol poisoning can initially resemble a severe hangover, with symptoms including dizziness, vision problems and an overwhelming urge to sleep. However, prompt medical treatment can prevent serious injury or death.
Cheznye’s sister, Measha, said awareness of the danger remained too low in the UK despite continued incidents overseas, particularly in south-east Asia.
She said: “Millions of people from the UK travel abroad every year. The problem is when these incidents happen they briefly surge to the top of the news agenda, but the message doesn’t seem to stick.
“I worry people think we’re telling them not to drink when they go abroad. That’s not what we’re saying. We want people to understand spirits can carry a particular risk because criminals can make money by diluting them with methanol. Sealed beers, ciders and alcopops are generally far safer because they are less profitable to counterfeit.
“Be aware of the symptoms and, if you feel unwell, seek medical help immediately. If methanol poisoning is identified early, treatment can reverse its effects. If it’s ignored, the damage can be irreversible.”
She added the Government gives methanol-related travel advice for 37 countries, allowing holidaymakers to check risks before they travel.
More information is available at MethanolAwareness.com. The Best Part of Me can be heard via the charity’s YouTube and social media.
Share