Tree trimmers attacked by bees in New Jersey, residents warned to stay indoors
Police in Paramus, N.J. warned residents to stay indoors after three tree trimmers were attacked by bees Thursday morning.
“A large swarm of bees reported in the area of Howland Ave. and Village Cr.,” the Paramus Police Department wrote on Facebook around 11:30 a.m. “Residents are urged to stay inside.”
One of the workers stung multiple times was hospitalized with severe stings, according to ABC 7, while the other two suffered lesser stings. The victims reportedly worked for Three Shade Tree.
Police Officer Al Raimondi was at the work site when the swarming began around 11 a.m.
“Cover your face and run towards me!” he instructed the victims, according to the Paramus Daily Voice.
Raimondi reportedly then drove the workers out of danger in his squad car.
Officials believe the bee attack happened when a nest was disturbed. A beekeeper was reportedly called in to address the issue Thursday afternoon. It’s unclear what kind of bees attacked the workers.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that wasps, bees and hornets accounted for an average of 788 deaths per year between 2011 and 2021. The CDC said 80% of Americans fatally stung are men.
National Geographic reported in 2015 that people are more likely to be killed by bees than they are bears. Many fatalities related to bee stings are caused by allergic reactions.
