Daniel Owena 47-year-old American professor, and his son Cooper15, died after being stung by hundreds of Asian giant hornets while ziplining at an ecotourism resort near the city of Luang Prabang, Laos.
The tragedy occurred on October 15 while father and son struggled to descend from a tree with their guide. A swarm of what seemed to be asian giant wasps attacked them, reported the British media The Times.
According to Phanomsay Phakana doctor at the Phakan Arocavet Clinic where they were first taken, the victims’ bodies were «covered in red spots.»
The doctor indicated that they suffered «many bites, more than 100, all over their bodies,» describing the situation as «very, very painful» and dangerous, since – as he said – «he had never seen a case so serious.»
Father and son died after being stung by hundreds of Asian giant hornets while ziplining. Photo: Pixabay.Despite the severity, the father and son were conscious when they arrived at the clinic and showed no symptoms of anaphylactic shockthe allergic reaction that can be fatal due to stings of bees, wasps or other hymenoptera. They were transferred less than an hour later to the Hospital de Luang Prabang.
Although minor stings are common in Laos, Dr. Phakan stressed that deaths are rare. Ian Campbell, spokesman for the British Beekeepers Associationnoted that wasps can sting several times, and if a nest is disturbed, they defend it «vigorously and energetically.»
The Asian giant wasp is the largest in the world. It is native to tropical areas of eastern and southern Asia, continental Southeast Asia and some areas of the Russian Far East. In recent years, it has expanded to several Western European countries, including the United Kingdom.
Dozens of deaths are attributed to it each year due to the power of its 6-millimeter stinger, with which it injects a highly toxic poison called maskoparan-Ma common substance in wasp venom, but especially lethal in this species.
Daniel Owen, originally from Idaho, United States, died just before his 47th birthday. Photo: Facebook/Quality Schools International.Daniel Owen, originally from Idaho, United States, died just before his 47th birthday. He dedicated 18 years to QSI International Schoolwhere he worked as a director in Haiphong, north of Vietnam. «Our deepest condolences to the Owen family and everyone who knew and loved them,» the institution wrote on its Facebook page.
The park statement
Green Jungle Park -the adventure park and camp with ecotourism activities where the incident occurred- expressed its «deepest condolences» to the family and friends of Daniel and Cooper Owen. Through a statement, released by Peopleassured that his death «deeply affected everyone» in the park community.
«From the moment the incident occurred, our owners and staff cooperated fully with local authorities, the United States Embassy and the grieving family to provide all possible support,» they added.
The park assured that after the incident they carried out a review of your procedures to improve their response protocols «including the zipline course evacuation process.»
«This event is unprecedented in our experience and, as we understand, neither in Luang Prabang. It was an unpredictable and extraordinary natural event. We maintain our commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility towards all those who visit us,» they noted.
