Teen survives 75 bee stings, dog dies
2013-01-18 12:45
Siyathemba Ben, The Witness
Pietermaritzburg - A 14-year-old Pietermaritzburg teenager is
recovering after he was attacked by a swarm of bees, leaving him with 75 bee stings.
Stuart Duncan was at home on Tuesday afternoon when the
swarm came from his garden into the house and attacked him.
His mother, Roanne Duncan, who was at work at the time, said
she received a panic-stricken call from her in-laws who live in a cottage in
her yard.
She said she was happy that her son survived the ordeal.
“We are grateful that he is fine. It could have been far
worse.”
Jumped into pool
She said her son escaped the bees by fleeing through the
front door.
“But when he got outside, he was met by another swarm that
attacked him there.”
He jumped into the swimming pool as a way of protecting
himself.
His two dogs, Milo and Norman, were also attacked.
Milo escaped to a neighbour’s yard, while Norman collapsed
and died from the multiple stings.
When she arrived home, Duncan said, her son was in the
shower trying to get rid of the remaining bees.
“He was frightened. Fortunately, he is not allergic to
bees.”
An ambulance arrived and as they were making their way
inside, the bees came and attacked Stewart again.
“They came in and went straight for him.
“He was screaming and shouting,” Duncan explained.
Rushed to hospital
They got rid of the bees and Stuart was rushed to St Anne’s
hospital, where he was put on a drip and given an antihistamine injection.
Stuart was stung on his head, neck, arms, back and torso.
“He’s got red marks, but is not swollen,” Duncan said.
The Grade 9 Maritzburg College pupil missed his first day of
school on Wednesday because he was still recovering, but managed to go to
school on Thursday.
His mother said that although he is a quiet boy, he was
“quieter” on Wednesday.
“He is dealing with the loss of his pet. He felt he could
have done something to help.”
She said nothing like this had ever happened in her 18 years
of living on that property.
“We don’t know where they [bees] came from. I have never
heard of anyone in Maritzburg who was attacked.”
