A tragic incident occurred in Laos where an American teacher and his teenage son lost their lives after being attacked by a swarm of hornets while ziplining.
The victims, Daniel Owen, 47, who was a principal at a prestigious private school, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper, succumbed to their injuries following being stung ‘more than a hundred’ times by hornets at an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang on the Mekong River, Laos, on October 15.
They were reportedly besieged by Asian giant hornets, which can reach lengths of up to two inches with a quarter-inch sting, while attempting to descend from a tree with their guide, according to local health officials.
Despite reaching the hospital conscious and without immediate signs of anaphylactic shock, both father and son passed away within hours.
Originally from Idaho, Daniel had moved abroad with his family and served as the director of Quality Schools International in Vietnam for nearly 20 years.
Dr. Phanomsay Phakan from the Phakan Arocavet Clinic, where the victims were first taken, commented: “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,” he added, as reported by the New York Post.
While allergic reactions can quickly be fatal for those stung by wasps, hornets, and bees, Dr. Phakan noted that he had never encountered such a severe incident in his 20-year career.
“I have never seen a death and I have been working more than 20 years,” he mentioned.
As stated by The Times, Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) are recognized as the largest of their kind in the world and differ from the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina).
In response to the unfortunate event, the eco-adventure park, known for a range of activities, stated that the attack was ‘unprecedented.’
The park offers ziplining experiences for approximately $20 per person.
A spokesperson expressed: “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.”
Quality Schools International Vietnam, with tuition fees up to $760 per month, also released a statement concerning their late principal, who died around his 47th birthday.
“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,” it 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.”
Ian Campbell, a representative from the British Beekeepers Association, also noted the variability of hornet sting dangers, stating to The Times that there ‘is no threshold that has been set for the number of stings’ which might lead to an allergic reaction or even death.