A man in his 30s was airlifted from Lookout Mountain Preserve in north Phoenix after being stung more than 100 times by bees while hiking on Saturday. The victim, who remains unidentified, is now in critical condition with dangerously low blood pressure due to the venomous stings.
Key Takeaways
A man in his 30s was airlifted from Lookout Mountain Preserve after being stung more than 100 times by bees while hiking. He is now in critical condition due to dangerously low blood pressure caused by venomous stings.
- Hiker suffered over 100 bee stings near the summit of Lookout Mountain
- Man airlifted via helicopter after being unable to descend on his own
- Critical condition with severely low blood pressure from venom exposure
- Phoenix Fire Department issued safety guidelines for hikers regarding bees
Rescue teams from Phoenix and Glendale responded to reports of a hiker being attacked by a swarm of bees near the summit of Lookout Mountain. According to The Guardian, the man reported "over 100 stings" and was unable to continue his descent, prompting emergency crews to coordinate a hoist operation using a Firebird 10 helicopter.
Dr. Frank LoVecchio, an emergency physician and professor at Arizona State University, explained that the venom from repeated bee stings effectively "crushes your muscle," leading to severe health complications. Shaun Cutrona, owner of Busy Bee Pest Solutions, noted that bees in Arizona seem angrier this year due to their Africanized lineage.
The Phoenix Fire Department issued a warning to hikers following the incident, advising them to avoid disturbing hives, skip scented products outdoors, wear light-colored clothing, and run away quickly while protecting their head and face if they encounter a swarm. The department also reminded residents that Arizona has grappled with aggressive Africanized bees since the 1990s.
Dr. Gary Kirkilas, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, told AZ Family that in most non-allergy cases it can take more than 500 or even 1,000 bee stings before it becomes fatal. "Those are in particular people who do not have an allergic reaction," he said. "For people who do have an allergic reaction, it can be only a couple stings where it puts them over the edge."
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