An American Man and His Son Die After Wasps Attacks While Ziplining in Laos
An American man and his teenage son died last month after being attacked by a swarm of wasps while ziplining at an adventure camp in Laos. They were stung many dozens of times, a hospital official reported on Thursday.
Dan Owen, director of an international school in neighboring Vietnam, and his son Cooper were stung on October 15 at the Green Jungle Park as they descended from a tree at the end of the zip line.
The camp is located outside the city of Luang Prabang, a popular tourist site in Laos that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Hospital Treatment and Condition
The two were initially taken to a local clinic before being transported to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital in critical condition, said emergency room physician Jorvue Yianouchongteng, who received them.
“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 both suffered from severe anaphylactic shock after receiving more than 100 stings across their bodies, though the exact cause of death had not been officially confirmed.
About the Wasps
The Asian giant hornet, often called the “murder hornet” because of its aggressive nature toward other insects, is present in Laos. There are also several other wasp species in the area.
Summary
This tragic incident highlights the lethal risk of massive wasp stings and severe allergic reactions during outdoor activities in regions inhabited by dangerous insect species.