Dad and Son Died Within Hours of Each Other After Wasp Attack on Vacation, Says ER Doctor Who Treated Them: ‘We Tried’

An emergency room physician who treated an American father and son after their fatal wasp attack in Laos has shared details about their final moments.

Dr. Jorvue Yianouchongteng, who works at Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital, spoke with the Associated Press about Daniel Owen and his 15-year-old son, Cooper. The pair died last month after being stung more than 100 times while zip-lining at a park near Luang Prabang.

“The son was unconscious and passed away after half an hour, while the father was conscious and passed away about three hours later,” Yianouchongteng told the outlet. “We tried our best to save them, but we couldn’t.”

On Oct. 15, the Owens were at the Green Jungle Park when the attack occurred, according to the AP. They had just finished the zip line and were descending a tree when a swarm of wasps attacked them.

Daniel and Cooper were first taken to a local clinic and later transported to the hospital in critical condition. Both had suffered dozens of stings and were in severe anaphylactic shock, Yianouchongteng said. Their exact causes of death have not been publicly confirmed.

The Phakan Arocavet Clinic, where the victims were initially treated, confirmed the incident in an email but said the situation was “very brief and rushed” and that further details were unavailable. A U.S. Department of State spokesperson also confirmed the deaths of two American citizens in Luang Prabang, adding that no additional comments would be made out of respect for the family’s privacy.

A source close to U.S. diplomats in Laos told the U.K. Times that the father and son were believed to have been attacked by hundreds of Asian giant hornets, though the AP later noted that the specific species of wasp had not been confirmed.

Daniel Owen was the director of QSI International School in Haiphong, Vietnam, where he worked for 18 years across five different schools. In a tribute, QSI said Owen “touched countless lives with his warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education. He was deeply loved across our community and will be profoundly missed.”

Green Jungle Park released a statement expressing condolences to the Owen family and their loved ones. “Their passing has deeply affected everyone in our community,” the park said, noting that it cooperated fully with authorities, the U.S. Embassy, and the family after the tragedy. The park added that while the official review found no fault on its part, it remains committed to strengthening safety and visitor care. It also stated that no significant injuries had previously occurred among its guests or staff since opening nearly a decade ago.