- A man in Kentucky tragically lost his life after being attacked by a swarm of bees on his front porch.
- The bees emerged from a bag of potting soil that he was handling.
- The victim, a grandfather, was stung between 15 and 20 times before succumbing to respiratory failure.
A 59-year-old Kentucky man tragically lost his life when a swarm of bees attacked him on his porch after emerging from a bag of potting soil, according to the Harlan County Coroner’s Office.
Despite immediate CPR efforts by his family and first responders, Michael Alford succumbed to respiratory failure caused by the bee stings, as stated in a Facebook statement by John W. Jones, Harlan’s Deputy Coroner.
According to NBC, the man was stung between fifteen and twenty times by the swarm of yellow jackets and bees. The coroner’s report noted that he had underlying health issues that may have been exacerbated by the bee stings.
Michael Alford, who was formerly a gas station manager, is survived by his wife, three children, and 11 grandchildren, as mentioned in his obituary.
What happens when a bee stings you?
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Bee stings, while often not fatal, can have serious consequences. Typically, a sting causes a red welt and temporary discomfort. However, individuals with allergies or underlying conditions may experience more severe reactions.
Bee stings contain venom that can trigger a severe reaction, including potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock, as stated by the National Library of Medicine.
Between 2011 and 2021, the CDC recorded 788 deaths in the US attributed to hornet, wasp, and bee stings, with an average of 72 fatalities per year, primarily affecting men.
In May, an Arizona mother was stung over 75 times during a family photo shoot with her children and required hospitalization. In 2020, five people were attacked by 40,000 bees in California.
If stung by a bee, the CDC recommends washing the affected area with soap and water, removing the stinger gently with gauze or a fingernail, and applying ice to reduce swelling. These measures can help alleviate the effects of a bee sting.
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