Two people were hospitalized Monday after hundreds of bees swarmed a Los Angeles neighborhood.
The fire department first responded to a call of a bee swarm around 4 p.m. on Monday.
One adult man was injured after receiving “multiple bee stings” and an LAPD volunteer received “dozens of bee stings” while trying to escape the swarm in the Encino neighborhood. The LAPD confirmed the latter is in stable condition.
Video shows the volunteer swatting away at the bees while trying to get into the passenger seat of a car. As he tries to walk away from the bees, he trips and appears to hit his head on the asphalt. He falls a second time while attempting to get up. Paramedics were eventually able to treat him at the scene before he was transported to the hospital for more treatment.
“Wishing him a speedy and full recovery. We thank him for volunteering to protect and serve. All of our LAPD volunteers are invaluable,” the LAPD said on Twitter.
The other injured man’s condition is unknown. One woman self-transported to the hospital after being stung, ABC 7 reported.
Following the injuries, the fire department advised residents to close their windows and doors. Professional bee removers were called in as well.
It’s believed the swarm originated from an attic or other space in one of the neighborhood homes.
“This is such an active hive, they’re so aggressive. There are so many of the bees that they look like they have a fairly well-established hive,” Brooks Putman from All Valley Honey & Bee told KTLA.
Bee stings can lead to serious medical issues and even death. An average of 62 people die from bee and wasp stings in America every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.