Daniel Owen and 15-year-old Cooper were attacked by hundreds of Asian giant hornets

A tragic and almost unimaginable accident claimed the lives of an American father and his teenage son last month while vacationing in Laos, leaving friends, family, and colleagues in shock.

Daniel Owen, 46, and his 15-year-old son Cooper were attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets while ziplining at Green Jungle Park, near the scenic city of Luang Prabang.

Witnesses describe the horrifying scene as the pair were stung repeatedly, ultimately succumbing to the venom despite being rushed to local medical care.

The Owen family, residents of Vietnam, had traveled to Laos for what was intended as a memorable adventure vacation. Daniel Owen, the respected director of QSI International School in Haiphong, had spent nearly two decades shaping the lives of students across five schools.

Cooper, his bright and energetic son, accompanied his father on what was meant to be a fun father-son outing. But the day of October 15, 2025, turned into a nightmare that has left the international community reeling.

Reports indicate that the horrific encounter occurred as the father and son were navigating a zipline course with a local guide.

As they were preparing to descend from a tree platform, a swarm of hundreds of Asian giant hornets attacked, stinging both Daniel and Cooper relentlessly.

One eyewitness described the scene as “chaotic and terrifying,” with the hornets covering the pair’s bodies and the two desperately attempting to escape.

Local medical personnel confirmed that both father and son were conscious when first admitted to Phakan Arocavet Clinic. Doctors observed that their bodies were covered in painful red welts, a visible testament to the sheer number of stings, estimated at over 100 each.

Dr. Phanomsay Phakan, who treated the victims, described the ordeal as “very brief and rushed,” emphasizing the extreme severity of the attack. “It was very, very painful. A lot of stings, more than 100, over the whole body,” he said.

Despite emergency interventions, Daniel and Cooper died just hours later after being transferred to a hospital, underscoring the lethal potency of the Asian giant hornet venom when inflicted in large numbers.

The horrifying incident has sent shockwaves through both the local community and the international expat network. Green Jungle Park, a popular adventure tourism destination, issued a statement expressing their condolences.

“Green Jungle Park extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Daniel and Cooper Owen,” the spokesperson said,

adding that the park had “reviewed all existing procedures” and described the event as “unprecedented in our experience and, to our understanding, in Luang Prabang as well.

It was an unforeseeable and extraordinary natural occurrence.”

Colleagues and friends of Daniel Owen have expressed heartbreak at the sudden loss of both father and son. QSI International School released a heartfelt tribute noting Daniel’s 18 years of dedicated service.

“Dan dedicated 18 years to QSI, serving in five different schools and touching countless lives with his warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education.

He was deeply loved across our community and will be profoundly missed,” the statement read. Students and staff remembered him not only as a talented educator but as a compassionate mentor who inspired those around him.

Cooper, described by friends as full of curiosity and energy, shared his father’s love of adventure, making the loss all the more devastating.

Social media reactions have poured in from around the world. Friends and former colleagues mourned the sudden and shocking nature of the tragedy.

“The world lost two good ones,” wrote one friend. Another commented, “Dan was a beloved and caring principal at QSI Haiphong school. He and his son Cooper will always be in our memories and prayers.”

The incident highlights the dangers of Asian giant hornets, an invasive species native to Asia that has been identified as the world’s largest hornet.

Known for their aggressive nature and potent venom, these hornets can inflict multiple stings quickly, overwhelming even healthy adults. While fatalities from hornet stings are rare, the sheer number of stings Daniel and Cooper endured made the attack lethal.

The entomological risk posed by these insects is significant, particularly in areas where they are present in large numbers and where adventure tourism brings humans into close contact with their nests.

Authorities from the U.S. Department of State confirmed the deaths of Daniel and Cooper Owen but emphasized that out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further comment would be provided.

For local emergency responders and medical teams, the case represents a rare and tragic event that underscores the unpredictability of nature.

It also serves as a grim reminder of the importance of caution in adventure tourism, particularly in areas inhabited by dangerous wildlife.

The loss of Daniel and Cooper has reverberated far beyond Laos, touching communities in Vietnam and the United States.

Daniel’s colleagues at QSI International School in Haiphong continue to mourn his death, reflecting on the lasting impact he made on students’ lives and the school community.

Cooper’s friends and family recall a joyful, inquisitive young man whose life was tragically cut short. Together, the father and son represented a bond of adventure and curiosity, now immortalized in the tragic story of a vacation turned fatal.

As the investigation continues, authorities have stressed that the attack was “unforeseeable,” and no negligence has been reported on the part of the park.

Nonetheless, the horrifying details of the attack—the number of stings, the rapid progression of symptoms, and the ultimate deaths of both victims—paint a chilling picture of how quickly a peaceful day in nature can turn deadly.

The story of Daniel and Cooper Owen is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable power of the natural world, leaving friends, colleagues, and strangers alike grappling with grief and disbelief.

In the wake of this tragedy, many are calling for increased awareness and safety measures when engaging in adventure tourism in areas where dangerous wildlife is present.

For now, family, friends, and the broader community are left to mourn the devastating loss of a devoted father and his son, whose lives ended in a horrifying, unimaginable way while seeking adventure in the beautiful landscapes of Laos.