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American Father and Son Die After Wasp Attack During Ziplining in Laos

An American man and his teenage son tragically died in Laos last month after being swarmed by wasps while ziplining, suffering severe anaphylactic shock from over 100 stings.

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Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

  • An American man, Dan Owen, and his son, Cooper, were fatally attacked by a swarm of wasps while ziplining at an adventure camp in Laos last month.
  • The father and son suffered severe anaphylactic shock after being stung over 100 times, leading to their deaths during the recreational activity.
  • Following the incident, they were transported to a local clinic and then to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital, where both succumbed to their injuries.
  • The U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths of two American citizens in Luang Prabang, though specific details were withheld out of respect for the family's privacy.
  • Owen's employer, Quality Schools International, praised his 18 years of service, acknowledging his significant impact on countless lives during his tenure.
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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources cover this tragic incident neutrally, focusing on factual reporting without loaded language or overt bias. They present information directly, such as the cause of death being severe anaphylactic shock, and include official statements from medical personnel and the U.S. State Department. The coverage avoids sensationalism, maintaining an objective tone throughout the narrative.

"An American man and his teenage son died last month after they were swarmed by wasps while ziplining at an adventure camp in Laos and stung many dozens of times."

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Article

"The two were taken to a local clinic and then transported to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital where they arrived in critical condition."

CBS NewsCBS News
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Article

"The two were taken to a local clinic and then transported to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital where they arrived in critical condition, said Jorvue Yianouchongteng, the emergency room physician who received them."

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FAQ

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They were attacked by a swarm of Asian giant hornets, an invasive and predatory species known for their large size and potent venom.

They suffered from severe anaphylactic shock due to being stung over 100 times, which led to their deaths.

The attack occurred at Green Jungle Park near Luang Prabang, Laos, while the family was ziplining.

Dan Owen was the director of Quality Schools International in Hai Phong City, Vietnam, and had worked there for 18 years.

Some ziplining operations have been criticized for lacking proper safety instructions, having deteriorating equipment like rotted platforms and fraying ropes, and insufficient safety measures such as brakes and adequate platform sizes, making the activity potentially dangerous.

History

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