Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

An American father and son tragically died after being attacked by hornets during a holiday zip-lining in Laos. Daniel Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son Cooper were at Green Jungle Park near Luang Prabang on 15 October when they were swarmed by what appeared to be Asian giant hornets. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, both succumbed to their injuries later that day.

 

The incident occurred while they were engaging in an eco-adventure activity, leading to swift responses from local medical facilities. Dr. Phanomsay Phakan, who attended to the victims initially, reported that their bodies were covered in over 100 painful stings, describing the situation as one of the worst he had seen. While the pair showed no signs of an allergic reaction, both later died at the provincial hospital.

 

Green Jungle Park issued a statement expressing their shock and noted the event as "unprecedented" and a result of an "extraordinary natural occurrence." They are currently reviewing safety procedures at the park. The Asian giant hornet, or Vespa mandarinia, is known to be the world's largest hornet and can become aggressive if its nest is disturbed, though it rarely attacks humans unprovoked.

 

Daniel Owen was the director of QSI International School in Haiphong, Vietnam, dedicating 18 years to education in several schools. QSI International School expressed deep sadness at the loss, highlighting Owen's significant impact on many students’ lives with his warmth and leadership. The school and community are mourning a man who was "deeply loved" and will be missed profoundly.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• An American father and son died from over 100 hornet stings while zip-lining in Laos.
• Medical staff reported an exceptionally severe sting situation, but no initial allergic reaction.
• The resort is reviewing safety procedures after calling the incident unprecedented.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Yahoo News 2025-11-05

 

 

Yeiks!!!

Even being stung by one of these is pretty bad. I was limbing a tree & disturbed its walnut-sized nest. Caught me right in the third-eye, knocked me backwards off the ladder onto the cement drive. Not to be taken casually.

Just one sting from these nasty insects can be extremely painful, and that's speaking from experience.

Holy Crap, what a way to go.  RIP gentleman.  

OMG, well noted. I will not go for eco-adventure activity in Luang Prabang, Laos. Better to stay in a cozy hotel room and sip the new Beer Lao Green. One of the best beers I have ever drunk in my life.

Why zipline in a third world country with your family? Mind boggling but theres always going to be people doing it

I was attacked a couple of weeks ago by about 10 hornets though not giants, so may be what I would call 'wasps'. 

 

They're constantly building nests (encrusted mud) under the eaves of the house and my b/f has to spray them regularly (which is difficult as it's 2 storeys). On this occasion - first ever in my whole life - they came at me as I was checking the washing machine in the washhouse (external door only, as is normal in Thailand). As usual I had nothing on except a pair of shorts. I had to fight my way out and race to the back door a few meters away. Amazingly, only 1 sting (on my naked back). Didn't hurt much, just a bit itchy for the next couple of days.

 

But I'm now a bit neurotic about venturing out the back door, including for doing my morning stretching exercises on the back verandah.

Do antihistamines help with any allergic reaction to their stings?I allways have some benidrill handy.

15 minutes ago, Tug said:

Do antihistamines help with any allergic reaction to their stings?I allways have some benidrill handy.

Antihistamines can only do so much, if you’re concerned about severe reactions then carry both H1 and H2 inhibitors and enough epinephrine to get you to the nearest hospital.

Been stung a while ago. 7  stings hurt like he'll. Body then went bright red with darker spots like measels. The itch was insane. Had to go to A&E had jab or jabs can't recall but monitored for a while and when everything had calmed down allowed home. Not a nice experience. If these people had 20 plus stings it would definitely be life threatening.

5 hours ago, LittleBear57 said:

Been stung a while ago. 7  stings hurt like he'll. Body then went bright red with darker spots like measels. The itch was insane. Had to go to A&E had jab or jabs can't recall but monitored for a while and when everything had calmed down allowed home. Not a nice experience. If these people had 20 plus stings it would definitely be life threatening.

Says 100 stings in the article.

Can't imagine the pain.

 I was stung twice by hornets when I accidently disturbed a small nest a few years ago.

A disturbing side effect I discovered later is that I am now allergic to regular bee stings and carry an epi pen with me.

A second disturbing thing I found out was, when I went into anaphylactic shock and my breathing was impaired, the hospital refused to administer an adrenaline shot as I was over 70. They were, however, prepared to let me self-administer the shot. - TIT

Beautiful

 

 

Yet, DEADLY.

 

20 minutes ago, PaoloR said:

 I was stung twice by hornets when I accidently disturbed a small nest a few years ago.

A disturbing side effect I discovered later is that I am now allergic to regular bee stings and carry an epi pen with me.

A second disturbing thing I found out was, when I went into anaphylactic shock and my breathing was impaired, the hospital refused to administer an adrenaline shot as I was over 70. They were, however, prepared to let me self-administer the shot. - TIT

 

Sounds like....

 

REVERSE EUTHANASIA 

11 hours ago, Tug said:

Do antihistamines help with any allergic reaction to their stings?I allways have some benidrill handy.

 

And maybe take one before you go outside. I do before I go trim the shrubs and bushes in the back and along the side of the house. 

With lower tourist numbers, Laos has been cutting back on insect abatement.

 

I know two people who caught Dengue in LP. And if they're not spraying there.......

12 hours ago, Tug said:

Do antihistamines help with any allergic reaction to their stings?I allways have some benidrill handy.

Best thing I've found is rubbing charcoal on the bite(s). I live in the forest. .  This year I got attacked from a nest of smallish bees.  Still wasn't fun.  I take 2 charcoal caps a day, so I broke one open and it worked like I was told it would.  Knocks it right down to next to nothing.

 

Quote

Yet, DEADLY.

 

New fear unlocked. That thing is huge. 😱

I had hundreds trying to build nests in my garden, came from nowhere and near the house were around all lights. Ran through them with a spray and went to 7/11and bought 4 large insect sprays. Went full at them with one in each hand, they dropped like flies and remainder left.

16 hours ago, Tug said:

Do antihistamines help with any allergic reaction to their stings?I allways have some benidrill handy.

Do a test an let us know the result.

Well the report said neither was allergic.

I'm allergic to bee stings and need an adrenalin shot for one sting.

Though benadryl helps with allergic reactions but not good enough if in anaphylactic shock.

20 hours ago, angryguy said:

Why zipline in a third world country with your family? Mind boggling but theres always going to be people doing it

And this zip line terminated at a tree that then had to be descended. It seems there was a hornets nest in this tree which the pair had disturbed that provoced the attack. So the adventure company says they are not at fault. But they failed to  notice the hornets nest and change trees.