Authorities are warning people to be careful when encountering bees in the Coachella Valley after five firefighters and two women, one who suffered as much as 1,000 stings, were hurt Thursday when Africanized bees swarmed inside a gated community here, according to the Associated Press.
A 71-year-old woman suffered major injuries, another woman was also hurt, and the firefighters were treated for minor injuries Thursday after they were attacked inside the Montecito golf resort community, the AP reported.
A private service that was called to remove the bees, officials said, believed the insects were Africanized honey bees, according to the AP. There were two hives, estimated to hold anywhere from 65,000 to 75,000 bees.
Officials said the bees were contained and the hives were removed Thursday night, the AP reported. California Fire Battalion Chief Mark Williams told reporters the severely injured woman suffered 1,000 stings and was rushed to a local hospital and treated for shock.
The woman was expected to recover, according to the AP. The first attack was reported at 4:40 p.m., according to Cal Fire's website.
Williams said the severely injured woman was "covered in bees as if she was wearing a bee suit," the AP reported.
"Three of (the firefighters) were essentially trying to fight the bees while rescuing the woman, and they were putting her into the ambulance to get her away from the scene," Williams said, according to the AP.
All five firefighters were taken to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage to be treated for bee stings to their faces and necks, he added, the AP reported.
Neighbors said emergency personnel arrived just in time to scoop the woman off the ground and get her into the ambulance, according to the AP.
A second woman was also stung, officials said, but she was able to drive herself to an area hospital. Her condition was unknown Thursday evening, the AP reported.
The hives were inside a posted metal box containing fiber optic equipment belonging to Verizon, Williams said, according to the AP. He added that fire dispatchers used the reverse 911 system to warn residents within two miles of the site to stay indoors.
Bees are attracted to strong scents and vibrations such as those made by lawnmowers, said Robert Duffin, owner of Beesmart Bee Removal in Hemet, California, the AP reported.
The season for bees begins in early March so there are a lot of swarms this time of year, Duffin said, adding that people should avoid bees when they spot them, according to the AP. "Bees are very protective."
Multiple stings can send a victim into anaphylactic shock, causing swelling and difficulty breathing, and are fatal to those who are allergic to the venom, experts said, the AP reported.
