Trendpills
An American teacher and his teenage son have died after being attacked by a swarm of hornets while ziplining in Laos. Daniel Owen, 47, and his son, Harrison, 19, were partaking in an eco-tourism activity at The Gibbon Experience, a well-known project in the Bokeo province of northern Laos, when the incident occurred.
The pair were reportedly ziplining between treetop huts when they disturbed a nest, provoking the insects. A Laotian guide, identified as Kiew, was also stung multiple times but survived the attack. The father and son, who were on holiday from Singapore, succumbed to the venom from the stings. According to reports, the victims were attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets while navigating the popular zipline course.
Daniel Owen was a teacher at an international school based in Singapore, where the family resided. Harrison had recently graduated and was reportedly taking a gap year. The Gibbon Experience, founded in 1996 to promote conservation and provide local employment, expressed its shock and sadness over the tragedy. The company is known for its extensive network of ziplines and treehouses deep within the Nam Kan National Park.
Stings from Asian giant hornets can be extremely dangerous, especially in large numbers. Their venom contains potent neurotoxins that can cause intense pain, tissue damage, and, in severe cases, lead to anaphylactic shock and organ failure. While fatalities are rare, multiple stings significantly increase the risk, particularly for those with allergic sensitivities. The Owen family was on holiday from Singapore at the time of the fatal encounter.
Following the incident, operations at the park were temporarily suspended. Local authorities and the tour operator have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the attack. The tragic death of the American father and son serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of wildlife encounters, even during organized adventure tours.
