Quick action by members of the Nigel Civil Protection prevented a potentially fatal tragedy when a swarm of bees attacked a woman in Visagie Park on February 6.

The members received an emergency call at 08:36 reporting that a woman was being attacked by bees.
Civil Protection members Marius Fox and Tiaan Vogel rushed to the scene.

On arrival, they found the woman lying on the ground, surrounded by a swarm of aggressive bees. According to reports, a second person had also been attacked but escaped.

One of the members dragged the woman to the sidewalk before the attack intensified. The members contacted emergency medical services, as the woman did not respond.

While waiting for an ambulance, the two members on scene saw they needed to intervene to save her life. The members lit a rag dipped in oil to drive the bees away from the victim.

The swarm then turned its attention to the rescuers, but they continued assisting the woman despite being repeatedly stung.

“The incident was not an easy one. It was traumatic and something that cannot be described,” said Fox.

The bee attack victims were later transported to hospital for medical treatment.

The Civil Protection members, Fox and Vogel also sustained multiple stings but are reported to be recovering well.

It is believed that the bees came from a hive nestled in the roof of a nearby building.

“There were workers busy on the premises, which could have disturbed the beehive,” Fox added.

A local bee farmer was called in to remove the swarm.