Bali deaths blamed on fish

The family of an Australian mother and daughter who died on holiday in Bali say the pair may have been poisoned by bad fish.

But they say they are "still looking for answers" over the deaths of Queensland nurse Noelene Gay Bischoff, 54, and her daughter Yvana Jeana Yuri Bischoff, 14.

An autopsy could be performed as early as today.

The pair died in the early hours of Saturday, hours after checking in to their beachfront resort in Padangbai. Yvana alerted security to their violent illness just after midnight. They were taken by private ambulance to hospital but Mrs Bischoff died en route.

Despite being conscious and able to speak to doctors on arrival at BIMC Hospital in Denpasar, Yvana could not be saved.

It is believed they ate at the res-ort on Friday night after visiting the neighbouring town of Ubud.

The manager of the restaurant where the pair dined has denied his food was to blame.

Giovanni Bareato told the ABC last night that the restaurant was full of clients eating similar dish-es to the ones the women had.

He said no one else had fallen ill.

It is believed a Balinese doctor had difficulty intubating one of the women because of a swollen trachea, which can indicate an allergic reaction.

Mrs Bischoff's sister-in-law Keryn Bischoff said neither suffered from food allergies. She said Mrs Bischoff loved seafood.

Keryn Bischoff said a blurry timeline of events added to their confusion and suspicion.

"I hope there's no foul play involved," she said.

Mrs Bischoff's brother Malcolm Bischoff said the family were in a state of disbelief.

"We're still sort of looking for answers," he said.

Noelene Bischoff's brother-in-law Kevin Bowe said that at this stage the Department of Foreign Affairs believed they had eaten toxic fish.

He said Mrs Bischoff had a heart of gold.

"Noelene and Yvana were the best of mates," Mr Bowe said. "They tried to get away regularly but it didn't matter what they did, they always did it together."

Yvana had just finished Year 8 at Caloundra Christian College and wanted to be an equine vet.