South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Teenager bitten by bees

South Africa, Pietermaritzburg - A 14-year-old Pietermaritzburg teenager is recovering after he was attacked by a swarm of bees, leaving him with 75 bee stings.Stuart Duncan was at home on Tuesday afternoon when the swarm came from his garden into the house and attacked him.His mother, Roanne Duncan, who was at work at the time,said she received a panic-stricken call from her in-laws who live in a cottage in her yard.She said she was happy that her son survived the ordeal.“We are grateful that he is fine. It could have been far worse.”Jumped into poolShe said her son escaped thebees by fleeing through the front door.“But when he got outside, hewas met by another swarm that attacked him there.”He jumped into the swimming pool as a way of protecting himself.His two dogs, Milo and Norman, were also attacked.Milo escaped to a neighbour’s yard, while Norman collapsed and died from the multiple stings.When she arrived home, Duncan said, her son was in the shower trying to get rid of the remaining bees.“He was frightened. Fortunately, he is not allergic to bees.”An ambulance arrived and asthey were making their way inside, the bees came and attacked Stewart again.“They came in and went straight for him.“He was screaming and shouting,” Duncan explained.Rushed to hospitalThey got rid of the bees and Stuart was rushed to St Anne’s hospital, where he was put on a drip and given an antihistamine injection.Stuart was stung on his head, neck, arms, back and torso.“He’s got red marks, but is not swollen,” Duncan said.The Grade 9 Maritzburg College pupil missed his first day of school on Wednesday because he was still recovering, but managed to go to school on Thursday.His mother said that although he is a quiet boy, he was “quieter” on Wednesday.“He is dealing with the loss of his pet. He felt he could have done something to help.”She said nothing like this hadever happened in her 18 years of living on that property.“We don’t know where they [bees] came from. I have never heard of anyone in Maritzburg who was attacked.”