Father and son die after attack by killer hornets in Laos
An American man and his teenage son died after being attacked by deadly hornets while zip-lining in Laos.
Incident details
Mr. Daniel Owen, 47, and his son Cooper, 15, were at Green Jungle Park, an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang along the Mekong River, on October 15. They were attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets, an invasive predatory insect known as "murder hornets," and were stung more than 100 times.
Aftermath and medical emergency
Both Owens, Americans and with Mr. Owen a director at an international school in Vietnam, struggled to descend a tree they had climbed with their guide. They died hours after being taken to a nearby hospital. The fate of their guide remains unknown.
About Asian giant hornets
- Asian giant hornets can grow up to 6.35 cm.
- Their venom causes necrosis, which is the death of cells or tissue near the sting site.
- Multiple stings can lead to fatal outcomes, especially if venom spreads through the bloodstream to vital organs.
“An American man and his teenage son were attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets – an invasive, predatory insect dubbed ‘murder hornets’.”
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Summary: An American father and son died from numerous stings by invasive Asian giant hornets during a zip-lining holiday in Laos; their venom caused fatal tissue damage.
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