Hiker in Critical Condition After 100+ Bee Stings in Phoenix

A hiker in Phoenix, Arizona, remained in critical condition Monday after being stung more than 100 times by bees during a climb on Lookout Mountain on Saturday morning. The incident, which occurred near the summit around 10 a.m., prompted a coordinated rescue effort by local fire departments, highlighting the risks posed by aggressive bee populations in the region.

The adult male, whose identity has not been released, contacted emergency services after the attack left him unable to descend the trail. Responders from the Phoenix Fire Department and technical rescue teams from Glendale arrived at the scene and located the victim, who reported suffering over 100 stings. Firefighters stabilized his blood pressure on site before conducting a hoist operation using the department's Firebird 10 helicopter to extract him from the steep terrain. He was then transferred to a waiting ambulance at the trailhead and rushed to a nearby hospital, where officials said he continues to fight for his life.

The Phoenix Fire Department attributed the attack to a likely swarm of Africanized honey bees, which are prevalent in Arizona and known for their defensive aggression. These hybrid bees, a cross...