Health minister's wife and friend hospitalised after downing margaritas at club

29 October 2023 , 14:58

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Kara Lamond, wife of New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park (Image: kara_lamond/X)

The wife of an Australian Health Minister and her friend have been hospitalised after drinking poisoned margaritas.

Kara Lamond, wife of New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park, was with a female friend at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow in Wollongong on October 18 when they were served margaritas rimmed with "contaminated salt", the Illawarra Mercury reported.

The women were rushed to Wollongong Hospital with injuries consistent with ingesting caustic soda, the paper reported. They would likely have experienced extreme pain and possible damage to their throats, according to the University of Wollongong's Dr Judy Morgan. She said there would have been an "instant burning sensation" that could lead to "longer-term health effects like decreased ability to swallow."

Ryan Park, whose wife was hospitalised from the cocktail (Getty Images)

Ms Lamond and her friend have since been discharged from hospital. NSW Police said the incident was "accidental, with no criminal offences identified." A spokesperson for The Fraternity Club said they "deeply regret" the incident. The spokesperson said: "We take this incident very seriously and have engaged an independent work, health and safety organisation to review our processes and fine-tune staff training, to ensure it is not repeated."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Ryan Park told 7NEWS.com.au his office was aware of the report. They said: "We note that police have advised investigations are currently underway. The family asks that their privacy be respected and will not make any further comment on this matter during this time."

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Sodium hydroxide (known as caustic soda) is not toxic, but it is highly corrosive. It's found in many cleaning products, such as drain cleaner, and used in the production of soap and often found in chemical labs, Dr Morgan, a senior lecturer at UOW's School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience at the University of Wollongong said. Compounding the health issues, sodium hydroxide is soluble when it comes into contact with water, so the pair could be left with burnt lips, mouth, oesophagus and stomach.

Good Times Only director Ben Abraham owns a number of hospitality venues across the Illawarra including the Howlin' Wolf, Dagwood Bar and Kitchen, The Prince Wollongong and The Iron Yampi, and said he was shocked by the mix-up.

"We do use some pretty hectic chemicals and it's super important to use them in a safe manner and avoid cross-contamination," he said. Good Times Only has chemical identification data sheets on display for staff so risks are known and understood.

Rachel Hagan