By Philip Haldiman, Independent Newsmedia

Members of the Peoria Fire-Medical Department helped a 40-year-old man inflicted with hundreds of stings from a swarm of bees, June 7.

Spokesman Tim Eiden said paramedics arrived near the intersection of Lake Pleasant Parkway and Loop 303 at 8:30 a.m., to find the man, a Central Arizona Project employee, with several hundred bee stings.

He was in the process of removing an abandoned couch from underneath the overpass when the bees attacked. The swarm had built their hive in the couch and when it was disturbed, they attacked.

Mr. Eiden said the man tried to run from the bees for almost a quarter of a mile before eventually lying down with his face covered to keep the bees out of the sensitive areas.

"Unfortunately, there were no areas of shelter for the man to run to," he said.

Peoria Fire-Medical paramedics treated the man on scene and took him by helicopter to a nearby hospital. He was awake and alert and in stable condition when he was taken to the hospital, Mr Eiden said.

A second Central Arizona Projet employee was stung a few times and evaluated by paramedics but was not taken to the hospital.

Mr. Eiden said when a person is being attacked by bees, he or she should run away in a straight line, preferably into the wind. Do not swat at the bees or flail your arms, he said, but protect your eyes and mouth as you run. Attempt to find shelter if possible, do not jump into water, and call 911 as soon as possible.