Daniel Owen, a 47-year-old American school director, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper, tragically died after being attacked by hornets while ziplining in Laos. The incident occurred at an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang, where the pair was on vacation from Vietnam. According to reports, the two were swarmed by what appeared to be Asian giant hornets as they struggled to descend from a tree. Despite being conscious upon arrival at the hospital, both succumbed to their injuries a few hours later.
Dr. Phanomsay Phakan, who treated them at the Phakan Arocavet Clinic, described the severity of their condition, noting that their bodies were covered in over one hundred stings. He remarked, “It was very, very painful. A lot of stings, more than one hundred, over the whole body.”
Originally from Idaho, Owen had lived abroad for nearly two decades, working as the director of the Haiphong branch of Quality Schools International (QSI) in Vietnam. In a statement, QSI expressed their sorrow, saying, “Dan dedicated 18 years to QSI, serving in five different schools and touching countless lives with his warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education.”
The Asian giant hornet, often called the “murder hornet,” can deliver a painful sting that is potentially fatal, particularly to those with allergies. The tragic deaths of Daniel and Cooper Owen highlight the dangers of these insects, especially in areas like Southeast Asia where they are prevalent.
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