A teenage boy and his father suffered hundreds 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 lot of stings, more than one hundred, over the whole body.
‘I thought already that it’s a very dangerous situation because I had never seen it as bad as that.’
The pair were conscious when they arrived and showed no sign of anaphylactic shock – which can kill people who are allergic. But they both died hours later.
In Laos, minor stings are common but, according to Dr Phakan, deaths are rare. ‘I have never seen a death and I have been working more than 20 years,’ he said.
Mr Owen worked as a director of Quality Schools International, which is a private school chain that serves the children of diplomats around the world.
QSI paid tribute to the long-serving member online, saying: ‘We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dan Owen, Director of QSI International School of Haiphong, and his son Cooper, due to a tragic accident.
‘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. Our sincere condolences go out to the Owen family and all who knew and loved them.’
Can Asian giant hornets kill a person?
Yes. Asian giant hornets have a powerful sting that can deliver a large 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 do not normally attack unless their nests are disturbed.
All the Asian hornet sightings in 2024
All the places they have been spotted in 2024
The British Beekeepers Association, which tracks where they have been seen, says these are the most recent sightings:
April 22 and 24 in Four Oaks, Kent: Two Asian hornet queens found in traps set as part of spring trapping work being carried out. Both hornets were found in a single trap near Four Oaks. Both specimens have been sent to the lab at Fera Science Ltd. for official confirmation and analysis. The National Bee Unit (NBU) will continue to monitor the area.
April 13 on ferry to Portsmouth, and separately at Four Oaks, Kent: : Credible report of a single Asian Hornet sighted on a ferry between St Malo and Portsmouth. Additionally, a single hornet caught in trap near Four Oaks, Kent approximately 3km from a nest found 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 first was in Preston, Lancashire at a warehouse with regular trucks arriving from France. The second credible report was a dead Asian hornet found 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 found 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 is the difference between Asian hornet and European hornet sting?
Asian hornets pose no more risk to humans than European hornets, as they are only deadly to people who are allergic to their sting prompting an anaphylactic reaction.
The reason they cause so much concern is that they are an aggressive predator of native insects, and pose a significant threat to honey bees and other pollinators.
Why are Asian hornets increasing in numbers in the UK?
Flooding and increased temperatures in recent years have upped the risk of invasive species making their way to the UK, the Wildlife and Countryside Link warned.
Growing nuisances already taking hold in the UK include Japanese Knotweed, which can cause structural damage to buildings, and Giant Hogweed, which exudes a sap that can 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 one of the biggest threats to the UK environment, from smothering waterways to outcompeting native species.
‘They also cause billions of pounds in damage a year to homes and businesses, and even pose risks to human health.’