Director of elite private school, son stung to death by swarm of Asian giant hornets during zipline vacation

The American headmaster of an elite private school and his teenage son were both stung to death after they were attacked by horrifying Asian giant hornets during a vacation.

Daniel Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper, were swarmed and stung more than 100 times while they were ziplining at an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang on the Mekong River in Laos on Oct. 15, local authorities said.

The pair were assailed by the insects — which grow to up to 2 inches long and have a quarter-inch stinger — as they struggled to descend from a tree with their guide, the Times reported, citing local health officials.

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They died just hours after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

“Their whole bodies were covered in red spots. It was very, very painful. A lot of stings, more than 100, over the whole body,” said Phanomsay Phakan, a doctor at the Phakan Arocavet Clinic.

“I thought already that it’s a very dangerous situation because I had never seen it as bad as that.”

“I have never seen a death and I have been working more than 20 years,” he added.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether their guide was also injured.

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In the wake of their deaths, the eco park — which offers luxury camping and adventure experiences — described the deadly attack as “unprecedented.”

“Green Jungle Park extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Daniel and Cooper Owen. Following this incident, we have reviewed all existing procedures,” a spokesperson said.

“This event is unprecedented in our experience and, to our understanding, in Luang Prabang as well. It was an unforeseeable and extraordinary natural occurrence.”

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Owen was originally from Idaho but had been living abroad for years with his wife and son.

He was the director of the Quality Schools International in Vietnam — an elite school that charges up to $760 per month for tuition.

“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,” the school said in a statement.

“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.”