x
Breaking News
More () »

Man stung 100-plus times after accidentally disturbing beehive while picking fruit in Arizona park

The park was shut down after four people, who were believed to be members of the same family, were injured in the bee attack.

A park in Glendale was shut down on Sunday after multiple people were stung by bees. 

The Glendale Fire Department tweeted that Sahuaro Ranch Park was shut down around 3:15 p.m.

"Stay out of the area!" the tweet read.

Glendale Fire told 12 News that four people, a 40-year-old man, a 39-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman, were stung.  

They're believed to be members of the same family and were picking fruit when they accidentally came across the hive in the orchard.

RELATED: What to do if you're attacked by bees

"The family didn’t know they were there, obviously, but once they were disturbed they swarmed and started to attack," Ashley Losch, a spokeswoman for the Glendale Fire Department, explained. 

The 40-year-old man was stung more than 100 times and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.  

"He was covered head to toe with bees when we arrived on scene," Losch says.

The 72-year-old woman was also taken to the hospital. The other two victims were treated at the scene and not transported.

RELATED: Infant among multiple people stung by bees in Mesa, Chandler

The park is located near 59th and Peoria avenues. Losch says it will stay closed until a beekeeper can come and look at the hive.

Losch says there have been reports of stings at the park before, but she couldn't recall a major attack like this.

If you encounter a beehive and bees start to attack, Losch says you should move away from the area. 

RELATED: Man dies after bee attack, three others injured including a Cochise County deputy

Be careful not to run, because that can provoke an attack. You'll want to get inside a car or a home for shelter; somewhere you can block out the bees. 

Losch says getting into water will not stop an attack.

RELATED: 'It was pretty scary': Valley man out of hospital after hundreds of bees sting him on golf course

Before You Leave, Check This Out