Daniel and Cooper Owen, who have ties to Bonners Ferry, were stung to death by a swarm of Asian giant hornets during a zipline vacation in Laos, according to a GoFundMe campaign created to raise funds for the family. 

The pair and their guide were swarmed by the hornets as they were descending from a tree at an eco-adventure resort near the city of Luang Prabang. Both Daniel and Cooper Owen were reported to have been stung more than 100 times each, according to organizers of the fundraising campaign.  

Though both arrived at a nearby hospital conscious, the pair passed away several hours later. It is unknown if the guide sustained any injuries.  

Phanomsay Phakan, a doctor at the Phakan Arocavet Clinic where the pair were first taken, told the Times that their bodies were covered in more than 100 painful red spots from stings. 

The hornets can grow up to 2 inches long and have a quarter-inch stinger, according to the New York Post. 

Daniel was the director of 18 years for Quality Schools International, a private school in Haiphong, Vietnam. According to their Facebook accounts, Daniel’s wife, Jessica, is from Bonners Ferry and Daniel is from Idaho Falls.   

The resort they were stung at issued a statement on Facebook. 

“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.” 

A goal of $40,000 has been set for the GoFundMe campaign.