Man stung to death trying to remove beehive from back garden

Officials say 51-year-old was covered in bees when they sprayed him with water before his death

A 51-year-old man died after sufferings stings from “numerous bees” near his Arizona residence, officials said.

Epigmenio Gonzalez was attempting to remove a beehive from a couch in the backyard on Sunday even when the incident occurred, according to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies and paramedics found the man running while covered in bees. Firefighters then sprayed him with water, according to metro fire spokesperson Charly McMurdie.

A woman at the home was also taken to the hospital with several bee stings. Her condition was not immediately known.

Several first responders were also stung in the incident, though they did not require medical attention.

Mr Gonzalez had run into the front of the yard shortly after the bees began stinging him, where he was then observed in a panic by responding officers.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office described the event as an “accidental death” in a press release posted to Facebook.

That statement said the man was “covered in bees” when he was first seen by authorities, and that he was rushed to the Yuma Regional Medical Centre.

The Associated Press contributed to this report