An American man, his son die after suffering stings from swarm of wasps while ziplining in Laos - The Tribune

An American Father and Son Die After Wasp Attack While Ziplining in Laos

An American man and his teenage son died last month after being attacked by a swarm of wasps during a ziplining activity at an adventure camp in Laos. They were stung dozens of times, leading to fatal consequences, according to hospital officials.

Incident Details

Dan Owen, director of an international school in neighboring Vietnam, and his son Cooper were descending from a tree on the zip line at Green Jungle Park on October 15 when the wasps swarmed them. The camp is near Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Medical Response

The victims were initially treated at a local clinic before being taken to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital in critical condition. Dr. Jorvue Yianouchongteng, an emergency room physician, reported:

“The son was unconscious and passed away after half an hour, while the father was conscious and passed away about three hours later. We tried our best to save them but we couldn't.”

Both suffered severe anaphylactic shock after being stung more than 100 times each. The exact cause of death has not been pinpointed.

About the Wasps

The Asian giant hornet, also known as the “murder hornet” for its aggressive nature toward other insects, inhabits Laos alongside several other wasp species.

Summary: A tragic wasp attack claimed the lives of a father and son in Laos, highlighting the dangers of severe allergic reactions from multiple stings during outdoor activities.

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The Tribune The Tribune — 2025-11-06

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