Firefighters in Arizona have praised a “quick-thinking” woman for saving her daughters from harm when a swarm suddenly launched on them as they took some photos in the countryside.
Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (AFMA) said that the family mum had to be hospitalised after being stung dozens of times.
Reporting on their operation in the Buckeye Valley area near Phoenix, the AFMA announced on social media that the “quick thinking” of the woman – whose name and age were withheld – “saved the children from being stung.”
In their Facebook story entitled ‘Bee Safe,’ the AFMA said: “She put them in the car and subsequently took the brunt of the stings. She was transported to the hospital with over 75 stings but thankfully has recovered.”
In the video, the firemen can be seen applying foam to her vehicle. The AFMA said they did so “to calm the bees and rescue the children from the car.”
The AFMA also shared an emergency call made by the woman’s mother. The kids’ grandmother said: “Please hurry! My daughter can’t get in the car. She’s being attacked by bees. My granddaughters are with her. Please send some help.”
The mother-of-two has been discharged from the clinic in the meantime. She is expected to fully recover from the incident.
A bee removal service provider told local broadcaster FOX 10 Phoenix that bee swarms were very common at this time of the year as they were pollinating and moving to new places.
The AFMA advised victims of bee swarm assaults to run away in a straight line.
Iowa State University entomologist Professor Donald Lewis explained: “Swarms are temporary and the bees will move on if you patiently ignore them. Stay back and keep others away from the swarm, but feel free to admire and appreciate the bees from a safe distance.”
