Kota Kinabalu: Two students in critical condition from methanol poisoning in Pitas have died.
They were 17-year-old fifth formers of SMK Pinggan-Pingan who fell into critical condition after a group of 27 students consumed a carbonated drink mixed with methanol on June 6.
Kota Marudu District Police Chief Supt Zairolnizal Ishak, when contacted Friday, said Leo Castelo Jason was confirmed dead at 4.08pm on Wednesday at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE), while Zammuel Martin was confirmed dead at 4pm one day later at HQE2.
He said the case was classified as sudden death and both victims did not require an autopsy since the cause of death had been determined.SPONSORED CONTENT Shell’s Access to Energy helps power lives of isolated communities in Sabah Kota Kinabalu: In 2017, Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (SSPC) launched Access to Energy (A2E), a Shell Social Investment programme aimed at providing affordable and continuous supply of electricity from renewable sources for communities who live without connection to the electricity grid. Read more “The cause of Leo’s death was methanol poisoning with multiple organ failure, while Zammuel’s is brain injury (cereal toxicity) secondary to methanol poisoning,” he said.
Meanwhile, the State Health Department confirmed at 10am on Thursday (June 15) that all 27 students had been poisoned by methanol.
State Public Health Deputy Director Dr Asits Sanna said proxy sample results were confirmed to contain 89 per cent methanol in content by the Chemistry Department on June 12.
He said the other 25 students had been released from the hospital after their conditions improved.
He added that the State Health Department would like to emphasise and advise the public against the danger of consuming illegal and contaminated alcoholic beverages.
“If you experience signs of methanol poisoning such as stomach ache, vomiting, headache or blurred vision after consuming alcoholic beverages, seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility,” he said in a statement, Friday.
On June 9, Dr Asits was reported to have said that 20 students, aged 13 to 17, were involved in a case of methanol poisoning, believed to be caused by drinking a mixture of carbonated water and “wood spirit” on June 6.
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