Man stung 300 times by swarming bees

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) - A man working in an industrial area of Pflugerville was in listed in stable condition after being stung about 300 times by swarming bees Wednesday morning.

Three others also were stung but suffered less severe injuries officials said. A police officer was among those stung during the hour-long process to bring the swarm under control. The officer did not require medical attention.

Officials said that more than 125,000 Africanized hybrid bees had colonized inside an old wooden dresser and had been there for several months.

The situation was so intense that officials were forced to divert traffic in the area.

"We asked everyone to stay in their homes and not come out," said Nikki Branning with Austin/Travis County EMS. "Don't do any yard work."

The incident at 1719 Rowe Lane near the SH 130 toll road was reported around 8 a.m. When emergency workers arrived, the bees still appeared to be aggressive. The public was being kept more than 100 yards from the scene.

Two area beekeepers were called in and were able to capture a large number of the insects by 9:45 a.m.

"It was laying on its side, a wooden cabinet," said Keith Huddle of Keith's Bee Service, who spotted the hive. "It had a two foot by two foot square the bees had moved into, filled with about 125 pounds of honeycomb."

An EMS command unit was set up in the area. Motorists in the area had been diverted to the toll road for about an hour. The access road was reopened by 9:15, but some less-traveled streets nearby remained blocked.