In a devastating incident, Daniel Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son Cooper tragically lost their lives after being attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets.
The tragedy occured while they were on vacation at an adventure resort in Laos.
The father and son were ziplining at an eco-resort near Luang Prabang on October 15 when the deadly hornets descended upon them, as reported by The Sun.
A Deadly Encounter: More Than 100 Stings
The horrifying attack occurred as Owen and his son were descending from a tree on a zipline.
According to local health authorities, they were overwhelmed by hundreds of the vicious hornets, which can grow up to two inches long and have a stinger up to a quarter-inch in length.
Both father and son were stung more than 100 times, with their entire bodies covered in red welts.
Phanomsay Phakan, a doctor at the Phakan Arocavet Clinic, where the pair was first taken, described the severity of the situation: “Their whole bodies were covered in red spots. It was very, very painful.
"A lot of stings, more than one hundred, over the whole body. I thought already that it’s a very dangerous situation because I had never seen it as bad as that.”
Despite the horrific nature of the attack, Owen and Cooper were still breathing when they arrived at the clinic and showed no signs of anaphylactic shock — the severe allergic reaction that typically follows stings from hornets or wasps.
They were immediately transferred to a nearby hospital, where they tragically passed away just a few hours later.
The Global Impact of Asian Giant Hornets
Asian giant hornets, or Vespa velutina, are notorious for their potent stings, which can be fatal in some cases.
These hornets are a significant threat to biodiversity, as they prey on honeybees and other pollinating insects, with the ability to kill up to 90,000 bees in a single season.
The hornets first arrived in Europe through an accidental importation in 2004 and have since spread across multiple countries, raising concerns about the impact they could have on local ecosystems.
In addition to their destructive impact on insect populations, these hornets pose a serious threat to humans. Their stings can cause extreme pain, swelling, and allergic reactions, making encounters like the one suffered by Owen and his son all the more dangerous.
A Family's Loss and the Impact on the Education Community
Owen, originally from Idaho, had lived abroad for several years with his wife and son.
He was the director of the Quality Schools International (QSI) in Haiphong, Vietnam, a prestigious private school chain that serves children of diplomats around the world.
In a heartfelt statement, the school expressed their profound sorrow at his untimely death: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dan Owen, Director of QSI International School of Haiphong, and his son Cooper, due to a tragic accident,” the statement read.
“Dan dedicated 18 years to QSI, serving in five different schools and touching countless lives with his warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education.
"He was deeply loved across our community and will be profoundly missed. Our sincere condolences go out to the Owen family and all who knew and loved them.”
Owen’s leadership and commitment to education had a lasting impact on the QSI community, and his sudden passing has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew him.
Unprecedented Incident: Eco Resort Responds
The tragic deaths have also rocked the local eco-adventure park where the attack occurred.
Green Jungle Park, which offers luxury camping and adventure experiences, expressed its condolences to the Owen family and noted that the attack was “unprecedented,” per the New York Post.
A spokesperson from the park shared their response: “Green Jungle Park extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Daniel and Cooper Owen. Following this incident, we have reviewed all existing procedures.
"This event is unprecedented in our experience and, to our understanding, in Luang Prabang as well. It was an unforeseeable and extraordinary natural occurrence.”
The resort has vowed to review its safety protocols, ensuring that future guests are protected from the dangers posed by the hornets in the area.