Hikers attacked by swarm of bees, causing need for medical attention

PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) — Crews provided immediate medical attention to a group of hikers in Arizona who were attacked by a swarm of bees.

Phoenix Fire Technical Rescue crews were called to the Cholla Trailhead at Camelback Mountain about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday for reports of bees attacking people.

“One of the first callers that called had a 911-only phone, so he was able to give us some information that there was a swarm of bees that had stung multiple people,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Mike Johnson said.

Video from one hiker shows several people shaking their heads and flailing their arms, attempting to get away from the bees. Another woman was seen shaking her hair.

Hikers in the area were told to stay alert and look out for rescue team members as they worked to find more injured hikers up the trail.

A Phoenix police helicopter was also requested for assistance.

“Trying to get our resources up to the mountain so we can figure out how many patients we have and go from there,” Johnson said.

Fire crews said at least eight people were stung multiple times by bees. One person was taken to the hospital in stable condition and is expected to recover.

Trails were temporarily closed to the public, but reopened Tuesday afternoon. Signs were set up outside the trailhead entrance that read, “Bees are present in the area, please use caution!”

Johnson also reminded hikers to stay vigilant in case they come across bees on any trails.

“If you do start to get attacked by a swarm of bees, just protecting your head and trying to vacate that area as quickly as you can,” Johnson said. “If you’re anywhere near their nest or swarm and they’re in protective mode, try to get out of that area. Obviously, when you’re on a trail like this, you want to make sure you’re not running, but just quickly moving out of the way,” Johnson said.

Bee activity expected to increase

Hikers can expect a lot of bee activity this summer because of the sudden onset of summer heat, Dave Burns, owner of Burns Pest Elimination, said.

“If you see bees, even a few of them, be aware there could be a hive close by and if you get too close and they feel threatened, you’re going to be attacked,” Burns said.

He said the hive was likely in a rocky cove or cave area.

“I guarantee it was in a rocky cove, a cave area, they don’t take much. It could’ve been in bushes, a shady area, in a tree,” Burns said.

When bee stings become dangerous

It takes up to 500 to 1,000 stings to land someone in the emergency room, unless they are allergic.

“It just takes one sting for someone to go into what we call anaphylaxis, where the throat swells up, the tongue swells up,” said Dr. Gary Kirkilas, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Kirkilas said the best way to react in case of a swarm is to stay calm and walk away. He said to call 911 if your throat or tongue swells or if it gets hard to breathe.