An Armagh woman has urged caution for runners along the Killylea Road after being swarmed by bees and stung more than 25 times!
The woman – who wished to remain anonymous – said she was running along the Ballyhoy Road towards Killylea approaching the Cormeen Road on Tuesday (May 5) when she noticed a unusual drone.
She said: “I heard a buzzing but thought it was dragon flies so continued running then when l turned around there were about 30 bees swarming me.
“I kept running trying to swat them away but they just kept stinging me. I must have somehow disturbed a nest most likely honey bees.”
Alarmed by the oncoming swarm, she “flagged down cars” for assistance.
“I was hoping someone could give me a jacket to swat them with or even to put it on me as l was in a running vest and shorts,” she continued. “But once they saw the bees they obviously were also frightened and l don’t blame them.”
There was nothing else for it… she did what anyone else would and took to the pavement and ran – albeit at a much faster pace than she had intended – to get home.
And, this is – according to the Outdoor Guide website – exactly the right thing to do. Their advice for bee attacks is to immediately run in a straight line without swatting the bees, get inside, don’t panic or scream, jump into water (however, this is considered a risky last resort), remove stingers and get “proper treatment”.
Thankfully, the terrified woman’s plan worked. She managed to put decent distance between herself and the pesky bees and they eventually left her.
But, she didn’t return home entirely unscathed.
The unassuming runner had more than 25 painful stings throughout her body and aired on the side of caution by contacting her local GP.
“Thankfully the nurse and Doctor in the Archway clinic saw me and took out the stingers and gave me Periton,” she added.
“My upper back and neck was sore and stiff the next day but, two days on, I am ok.”
She has also prudently drawn a few circles around some of the more angry stings (pictured) to keep a careful eye on the swelling.
She urges anyone running or walking in the area to be cautious… and perhaps tread lightly!
