The American headmaster of an elite private school and his teenage son died after being attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets while on vacation.
Daniel Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper, were stung more than 100 times while zip-lining at an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang on the Mekong River in Laos on October 15, according to local authorities.
The two were attacked as they attempted to descend from a tree with their guide, The Times reported, citing local health officials. The insects, known to grow up to two inches long with quarter-inch stingers, overwhelmed the pair before they could be rescued.
Private school headmaster Dan Owen and his teenage son died after being attacked by Asian giant hornets while vacationing in Laos.
Owen’s wife, Jessica, and their son are seen in an undated photo shared on social media.
The father and son died just hours after being rushed to a nearby hospital.
“Their whole bodies were covered in red spots. It was very, very painful — more than one hundred stings across the entire body,” said Dr. Phanomsay Phakan of the Phakan Arocavet Clinic.
“I immediately knew it was a very dangerous situation. I had never seen anything this severe,” he said, adding that in more than 20 years of practice, he had never before witnessed a fatal case like this.
It was not immediately clear whether their guide was also injured in the attack.
The father and son were stung as they attempted to climb down from a tree.
In the aftermath of their deaths, the eco-park — which offers luxury camping and adventure activities — described the tragedy as “unprecedented.”
“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,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“This event is unprecedented in our experience and, to our knowledge, in Luang Prabang as well. It was an unforeseeable and extraordinary natural occurrence.”
Owen was the director of Quality Schools International (QSI) in Vietnam, an elite institution where tuition can reach up to $760 per month.
Originally from Idaho, Owen had lived abroad for years with his wife and son, dedicating much of his career to international education.
“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,” the school said in a statement.
“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.”
