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 tragically died last month after being swarmed and stung multiple times by wasps while ziplining at an adventure camp in Laos, hospital officials reported on Thursday.

Incident Details

Dan Owen, director of an international school in neighboring Vietnam, and his son Cooper were attacked by wasps on October 15 at Green Jungle Park, located near Luang Prabang. They were descending from a tree at the end of the zip line when the swarm struck.

Luang Prabang is a popular tourist destination and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Medical Response

After the attack, both were taken to a local clinic and then transferred 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. We tried our best to save them but we couldn't.”

The doctor explained that both suffered severe anaphylactic shock after being stung more than 100 times across their bodies. The exact cause of death has not been definitively identified.

About the Wasps

The Asian giant hornet, sometimes called the “murder hornet” for its aggressive behavior toward other insects, is found in Laos along with several other wasp species.

Author's summary: A tragic wasp attack during ziplining in Laos caused fatal anaphylactic shock in an American father and son, highlighting the dangers of outdoor activities involving local wildlife.

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The Tribune The Tribune — 2025-11-06

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