A 59-year-old man from Dizney, Kentucky, died following a bee attack at his home in Harlan County on Tuesday evening, September 19.
The man, identified by family members as Mike Alford, was moving an old bag of soil when the incident occurred.
Alford’s actions disturbed a swarm of bees nesting inside the bag, leading them to swarm and attack him. Family members at home rushed to help and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation until an ambulance arrived. He was then transported to Harlan ARH Hospital’s emergency room, where medical professionals continued their efforts to save his life. Unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful, and a deputy coroner pronounced him dead shortly before 6 pm.
It is currently unclear whether Alford had any allergies to bee stings. The coroner’s office is conducting an investigation.
Mike Alford, a lifelong resident of Harlan County and former gas station manager, enjoyed hobbies such as four-wheeling, playing the piano, collecting knives, and whittling. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margalene Alford, their three adult children, and 11 grandchildren.
In response to the unexpected tragedy, Alford’s daughter, Marlana Ledford, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses. She noted that her father did not have life insurance, and the family is struggling to gather the necessary funds for his funeral.
While a single bee sting is usually harmless to those who aren’t allergic, being stung by a large number of bees in a short amount of time can lead to “envenomation,” where the cumulative amount of venom becomes toxic. Bee venom contains a mixture of toxic proteins and peptides that can cause tissue damage and systemic reactions. If a person receives a significant number of stings (for instance, several hundred), the sheer volume of venom can lead to serious complications such as acute kidney injury, liver damage, heart issues, and even death. The precise number of stings that can lead to these serious complications varies widely based on the individual and the type of bee.