Posted on 05/27/2016 10:37:02 PM PDT by BenLurkin
A 23-year-old man died Thursday after being swarmed by bees and stung 1,000 times while hiking in Usery Mountain Park in Arizona, authorities said.
Alex Bestler and a friend were on the Merkle Trail when a large swarm of bees descended on them “without provocation or warning” shortly before 9 a.m., according to a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office news release.
The victim’s friend — identified only as Sonya — managed to escape by seeking shelter in a restroom, but Bestler was overcome by the swarm, the release stated.
He was lying on the ground covered in bees when Sonya returned a short time later with an unidentified good Samaritan, according to the Sheriff’s Office. They were unable to approach Bestler “due to the aggressiveness of the bees,” but flagged down help.
It took three attempts for park employees and first responders to load him onto a park utility vehicle and transport him away from the scene, authorities said, noting bees continued to cover the victim’s body while the swarm pursued them.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
Poor man. What a horrible way to die.
I’ve been sedentary so long now I couldn’t run a mile on a track. Downhill. lol
Thanks for the tip on AfroBees bumping into you. I had never heard that and it could be a life saver. I knew about the pheromones. Even ordinary honey bees get more aggressive when they smell that one of their own got squished or left its stinger in something.
I explored a lot of AZ in the ‘90s, especially the southern counties, looking for medicinal plants, and when I think about the terrain it’s not a place I’d want to run for my life from man nor beasties. I kind of like that about AZ landscapes, very beautiful in its own way, but ‘friendly’ is not a word anyone would use to describe it. ‘Rugged’ is a good place to start and the adjectives just get more intense from there.
Medicinal plants, eh? The kind that look like little buttons, and alter one’s perception? Just kidding. I should learn more about the plant life around here.
I’ve not personally experienced that bumping-into thing, and wouldn’t rely on it. I just watch and listen, and if I become aware of many bees, I retreat. Fortunately, the weather is cooler during deer and quail seasons, so bees are somewhat less active then. Still see them on warmer days, though.
If you're interested in medicinal plants in AZ this is the book you should take a look at.
Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West - Michael Moore
I went to his school in '94 when it was in Albuquerque. His other books about western medicinal plants are the best there are. He was one of the best American herbalists there was.
Thanks! I’ve been feeling an Amazon order coming on, and I think I’ll get this book, and probably Kane’s book about edible plants, too. We harvest tunas most years in the fall, and make jelly from them (or syrup, if the jelly doesn’t set). Messy, but fun.
I did that once when I was living in Silver City, NM.
Gathered them in SE AZ. Cooked them down in honey.
They are huge there! Yuge even.
Most people wouldn’t know what you meant by tuna.
People look at the desert and think ‘barren.’ The truth is
there is a lot more diversity of plant life in the desert
than there is in northern forests. Even the rain forests
of the Pacific NW. That might be true of animals too.
There are a lot of critters out there.
Yeah, it’s amusing to offer someone a jar of “tuna jelly” and see the revolted expression.
I lived in Silver City for a few years, working at Tyrone and Chino, before moving back to Arizona in 2004. The winters are just a bit cold for sitting a drill rig. I heard El Paisano closed; I sure miss really good Mexican food. Jalisco was good, but El P was better. (Now I’m thinking about making a batch of red chile, but not today.)
I grew up in Oregon, and spent a lot of time in the woods. You’re right, I think, about the diversity of the desert flora compared to there, though I knew more about the plants in those parts.
If there were some to dive into, I would think that, too, but the link I posted says the bees will be waiting for you when you come up for air.
I thought it might be a ladies room but decided not to go there. If the guy could have gotten to it, he should have. Maybe it was so bad he couldn’t see, too much pain, fast allergic reaction, they targeted him worse.
There used to be jokes about them in comic books when I was a kid, but it's no laughing matter. I've seen pictures of men who have allowed themselves to get covered by bees. It's so unnatural it looks creepy. I don't know how he gets them off. Maybe he sleeps with them.
I wonder if they detect chemicals of fear?
Yes, that’s it exactly. I left out ‘dead’ bee. :)
I hiked in this park back in March...it was beautiful. My sister was there the following week and part of it was closed due to a bee swarm.
It would be really difficult to run fast enough to get away with the terrain. There were hundreds of people there the day I went hiking....guess you just have to hope you don’t end up being the target...yikes!
I remember my Dad thinking that was very funny and making sure I didn't miss it as we watched To Have And Have Not in the early '60s. He loved Bogart movies especially I think.
Surprises me to see the term ‘bitten’ by a bee (however rarely) today. Looks like everyone would know they sting.
Love old classic movies, especially Bogey and Bacall movies.
Always thought Lauren Bacall (who passed away recently) was highly underrated as to her beauty and acting ability.
I hope they’re together again and happy. :)
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