A teenage boy and his father suffered a whole bunch of killer Asian giant hornet stings as they zip-lined on an adventure holiday.
Daniel Owen, 47, and his son Cooper, 15, died from their injuries after they were attacked by a swarm of killer insects at their Laos adventure resort on October 15.
The Americans and their guide were overcome by the flying killers as they tried to zip line down some tropical trees.
The pair were rushed to hospital in a serious condition.
Dr Phanomsay Phakan said: ‘Their whole bodies were covered in red spots.
‘It was very, very painful. A variety of stings, a couple of hundred, over the entire body.
‘I believed already that it’s a really dangerous situation because I had never seen it as bad as that.’
The pair were conscious once they arrived and showed no sign of anaphylactic shock – which might kill people who find themselves allergic. But they each died hours later.
In Laos, minor stings are common but, in accordance with Dr Phakan, deaths are rare. ‘I even have never seen a death and I even have been working greater than 20 years,’ he said.
Mr Owen worked as a director of Quality Schools International, which is a personal school chain that serves the kids of diplomats world wide.
QSI paid tribute to the long-serving member online, saying: ‘We’re deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dan Owen, Director of QSI International School of Haiphong, and his son Cooper, as a consequence of a tragic accident.
‘Dan dedicated 18 years to QSI, serving in five different schools and touching countless lives along with his warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education.
‘He was deeply loved across our community and will likely be profoundly missed. Our sincere condolences exit to the Owen family and all who knew and loved them.’
Can Asian giant hornets kill an individual?
Yes. Asian giant hornets have a strong sting that may deliver a considerable amount of venom that attacks tissue and affects the nervous system. Itcan cause severe pain, swelling, and tissue necrosis – the death of cells.
Deaths occur mainly in two scenarios, multiple stings (mass attack) or anaphylactic shock. They don’t normally attack unless their nests are disturbed.
All of the Asian hornet sightings in 2024
All of the places they’ve been spotted in 2024
The British Beekeepers Association, which tracks where they’ve been seen, says these are probably the most recent sightings:
April 22 and 24 in 4 Oaks, Kent: Two Asian hornet queens present in traps set as a part of spring trapping work being carried out. Each hornets were present in a single trap near 4 Oaks. Each specimens have been sent to the lab at Fera Science Ltd. for official confirmation and evaluation. The National Bee Unit (NBU) will proceed to observe the realm.
April 13 on ferry to Portsmouth, and individually at 4 Oaks, Kent: : Credible report of a single Asian Hornet sighted on a ferry between St Malo and Portsmouth. Moreover, a single hornet caught in trap near 4 Oaks, Kent roughly 3km from a nest present in 2023.
April 11 in Folkestone, Kent: Credible report of a lone Asian Hornet in Folkestone, Kent
April 8, English Channel: Credible report of a lone Asian Hornet on a ferry midway between Calais and Dover.
March 20 and 21, Lancashire and London: The National Bee Unit received credible reports of lone Asian hornets. The primary was in Preston, Lancashire at a warehouse with regular trucks arriving from France. The second credible report was a dead Asian hornet present in Romford, East London. The specimen was collected by an NBU inspector and sent to a lab for official confirmation.
March 11: confirmation of an Asian Hornet present in a potting shed in Ash, Kent. The finding was around five miles from a nest found and destroyed in 2023 near Canterbury.
January 19: credible sighting in Westfield, East Sussex
What’s the difference between Asian hornet and European hornet sting?
Asian hornets pose no more risk to humans than European hornets, as they’re only deadly to people who find themselves allergic to their sting prompting an anaphylactic response.
The rationale they cause a lot concern is that they’re an aggressive predator of native insects, and pose a major threat to honey bees and other pollinators.
Why are Asian hornets increasing in numbers within the UK?
Flooding and increased temperatures in recent times have upped the danger of invasive species making their method to the UK, the Wildlife and Countryside Link warned.
Growing nuisances already taking hold within the UK include Japanese Knotweed, which might cause structural damage to buildings, and Giant Hogweed, which exudes a sap that may burn human skin.
Other invasive species include the Red Imported Fire Ant, Chinese Mitten Crab and Chinese Mystery Snail.
Richard Benwell, chief executive at WCL, said: ‘Invasive species are already certainly one of the largest threats to the UK environment, from smothering waterways to outcompeting native species.
‘In addition they cause billions of kilos in damage a 12 months to homes and businesses, and even pose risks to human health.’
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