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Arizona man stung up to 1,000 times by bees

The man was working in the back garden of a home in Kingman when he came across the swarm and fled to his vehicle

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The Independent US
bee-removal.jpg
Bee removal expert Jeff Stacey removes a hive from a chimney in Phoenix. A particular strain of bee has been menacing people and animals in Arizona in recent weeks. Matt York/ AP

Authorities have said that a man is lucky to be alive after he was stung between 500 and 1,000 times be a swarm of bees in Arizona.

The incident, which happened on Friday, saw the so far unidentified man taken in a stable condition to Kingman Regional Medical Centre.

According to Mohave County sheriff’s spokeswoman, Leslie DeSantis, the man had been attacked after disturbing a large hive in the backyard of a home in Kingman, north-west Arizona.

“The number of bees in the shed was unbelievable. The deputy who arrived said it was like something you would see in the movies,” Ms DeSantis said.

In pictures: Thousands of bees swarm Topshop

In pictures: Thousands of bees swarm Topshop

  • 1/8 UK

    A woman huddles up as she walks past a swarm of about 5,000 honeybees that have been attracted to a discount sign on the window of a shop in central London turning the fashion store display into a carpet of insects

  • 2/8 UK

    Passers by check out a swarm of about 5,000 honeybees

  • 3/8 UK

    It is understood the unusual nesting place was picked by the Queen bee, who landed there first and was quickly followed by her devoted colony

  • 4/8 UK

    The swarm of 5,000-strong honeybees on the window of Topshop in Victoria Street, central London

  • 5/8 UK

    The swarm of 5,000-strong honeybees that were attracted to a discount sign on the window of Topshop in Victoria Street, central London, are put into a box by bee keepers from the John Lewis Partnership and Westminster Cathedral, to be transported across the road to the roof of Westminster Cathedral

  • 6/8 UK

    The swarm of 5,000-strong honeybees that were attracted to a discount sign on the window of Topshop in Victoria Street, central London, are put into a box by bee keepers from the John Lewis Partnership and Westminster Cathedral, to be transported across the road to the roof of Westminster Cathedral

  • 7/8 UK

    The swarm of 5,000-strong honeybees that were attracted to a discount sign on the window of Topshop in Victoria Street, central London, are put into a box by bee keepers from the John Lewis Partnership and Westminster Cathedral, to be transported across the road to the roof of Westminster Cathedral

  • 8/8 UK

    The honeybees are carried in a box by bee keepers from the John Lewis Partnership and Westminster Cathedral

Authorities added that the man was working on the property at the time he was stung and sought refuge in his vehicle. He was aided by two others, who were also stung but not hospitalised.

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A beekeeper was called to the scene to contain the swarm and was stung 23 times, telling police that it could take days to contain the bees.

A particular strain of bee has been a nuisance for people and pets in Arizona in recent weeks, causing stings that are bad enough in some cases to need a stay in hospital.

In the meantime, authorities are warning residents to stay indoors, avoid walking nearby and drive through the neighbourhood with their car windows closed.

Additional Reporting: Reuters

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