American Father and Son Die After Wasp Attack During Ziplining in Laos
An American man and his teenage son died last month after being swarmed by wasps and stung repeatedly while ziplining at an adventure camp in Laos, officials confirmed today.
Dan Owen, director of the QSI International School of Haiphong in Vietnam, and his son Cooper were attacked on October 15 at Green Jungle Park, near Luang Prabang. They were descending from a tree at the end of a zip line when the incident occurred. Both were transported to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital in critical condition, according to emergency room physician Jorvue Yianouchongteng. “The son was unconscious and passed away after half an hour, while the father was conscious and passed away about three hours later,” Yianouchongteng stated. “We tried our best to save them but we couldn’t.”
The doctor indicated both victims suffered severe anaphylactic shock after being stung more than 100 times, though the exact cause of death remains under determination. Several wasp species inhabit Laos, including the Asian giant hornet, sometimes referred to as the “murder hornet” due to its aggressive nature. This tragedy highlights the potential dangers of outdoor adventure activities in regions with diverse and sometimes dangerous insect populations. The U.S. State Department has confirmed the deaths and offered condolences to the family, but declined further comment.
Quality Schools International, Owen’s employer, described him as having “touching countless lives” during his 18 years with the organization, which operates schools worldwide. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction and requires immediate medical attention. Officials are continuing to investigate the incident and await further reports from local authorities in Laos.
