American Father and Son Die After Wasp Stings While Ziplining in Laos
Dan Owen and his son Cooper were fatally attacked by a swarm of wasps while ziplining at the Green Jungle Park in Laos. The incident occurred on October 15 as they were descending from a tree at the end of the zip line.
Incident Details
The adventure camp is located just outside Luang Prabang, a popular tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. Following the attack, both father and son were taken to a local clinic before being transported to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital in critical condition.
"The son was unconscious and passed away after half an hour, while the father was conscious and passed away about three hours later,"
— Jorvue Yianouchongteng, emergency room physician
Both suffered severe anaphylactic shock after being stung over 100 times across their bodies. Despite medical efforts, the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed.
Context
- Dan Owen was the director of an international school in Vietnam.
- The attack happened at the Green Jungle Park, an adventure camp near Luang Prabang.
- Luang Prabang is recognized for its cultural significance in Southeast Asia.
Medical Response
The emergency physician described their condition upon arrival and the efforts to save them, which ultimately were unsuccessful.
"We tried our best to save them but we couldn't."
Author’s summary: A tragic wasp attack ended the lives of an American father and son in Laos despite urgent medical intervention and highlights the dangers faced in adventure tourism.