A hiker in Arizona faced a terrifying ordeal when he was swarmed and stung over 100 times by bees near a mountain summit, leaving him critically injured and unable to make his way back down the trail. Firefighters rushed to his aid and arranged for an airlift to bring him to safety.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning at the Lookout Mountain Preserve in north Phoenix, as reported by the Phoenix Fire Department.
The man’s identity remains undisclosed, but he reported suffering from more than 100 bee stings, according to fire department officials.
The sheer number of stings rendered the hiker incapable of descending the mountain on his own, necessitating a rescue operation.
A helicopter was used to lift the stricken hiker off the mountain and transport him to an ambulance stationed at the trailhead, as confirmed by the fire department.
Rescue units from both Phoenix and Glendale collaborated in the helicopter hoist operation to successfully evacuate the hiker from the mountain.
The hiker was transferred to an ambulance waiting at the trailhead and rushed to a hospital in critical condition. No further details about the man’s injuries or his current condition were immediately provided.
The man was transferred to an ambulance and rushed to a hospital in critical condition, officials said. (Phoenix Fire Department)
The fire department issued a bee safety reminder as warmer weather brings out bees.
“Avoid disturbing hives, skip scented products when outdoors, wear light-colored clothing, and if you encounter a swarm – run away quickly and protect your head and face,” fire officials said.
Crews from Phoenix and Glendale responded to help the man after the massive number of bee stings prevented him from being able to descend the mountain on his own, officials said. (Phoenix Fire Department)
Dr. Gary Kirkilas, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, told AZ Family that in most non-allergy cases it can take more than 500 or even 1,000 bee stings before it becomes fatal.
“Those are in particular people who do not have an allergic reaction,” he said. “For people who do have an allergic reaction, it can be only a couple stings where it puts them over the edge.”
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