Mike Alford, 59, dies after being attacked by swarm of bees while moving bag of potting soil on the front porch of his Harlan, Kentucky, home
Mike Alford, 59, dies after being attacked by a swarm of bees while moving a bag of potting soil onto the porch of his home in Harlan, Kentucky
- Michael Wayne Alford, 59, died Monday after being attacked and stung by bees at his home in Harlan, Kentucky
- The former manager of the gas station left behind a 41-year-old wife, three children and eleven grandchildren
- The family is raising money for funeral costs
A Kentucky man died after being attacked and stung by a swarm of bees hidden in the mud on the porch of his Harlan County home.
Michael Wayne Alford, 59, was moving an old bag of potting soil when the bees hiding in the bag became defensive. According to the Harlan County Coroner’s Office, they suddenly appeared and stabbed him press release.
Alford’s family performed CPR on him before lifeguard ambulance and the Harlan County Health System Emergency Department arrived on scene.
He was taken to a hospital, but did not survive the unexpected attack.
The former gas station manager died Monday at 5:50 p.m. in the emergency room of Harlan ARH Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, three children and 11 grandchildren.
Mike Alford, 59, was moving an old bag of potting soil onto the porch of his home in Harlan, Kentucky, when he was attacked by bees and later died.
Alford is survived by his wife of 41 years, three children and eleven grandchildren. He spent his entire life in Halan, Kentucky
The Harlan County coroner’s office is investigating the death, Deputy Coroner John W. Jones said. The coroner’s office has not identified the victim, but family members released his name to MailOnline.com.
“Our sincere prayers go out to all the family and friends,” Jones said.
His daughter Marlana Ledford started one GoFundMe page for funeral expenses, as Alford did not have life insurance.
“I’m way out of my comfort zone with this,” Ledford wrote on social media. She said all donations will go toward funeral and burial expenses.
A total of $2,055 was raised as of Thursday morning, about half of their $4,000 goal.
Visitation and funeral services for Alford will be held this Saturday at Evarts Funeral Home.
Alford was born in 1964 and spent his entire life in Harlan, Kentucky. According to his obituary, he enjoyed driving, playing the piano, collecting knives and chopping.
Alford also worked as a gas station manager in the area.
The Harlan County Coroner’s Office pronounced Alford dead Monday at 5:50 p.m. and notified his next of kin
It’s not clear what type of bees attacked and killed Alford, but honey bees (pictured) are not typically considered aggressive
Most bee stings are not fatal, but venom can quickly build up in a dozen or so stings, which can lead to a medical emergency in children and older adults
A total of 788 deaths from hornet, wasp and bee stings occurred between 2011 and 2022 with an average of 72 deaths per year, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Overall, 84 percent of deaths occurred in men.
Although most bee stings are not fatal, severe allergic reactions can happen to some people. Symptoms include hives, difficulty breathing, and a rapid, weak pulse.
The venom can build up if someone is stung more than ten times. A toxic reaction could lead to a medical emergency in children and older adults, the study said Mayo Clinic.
Bees are not usually considered aggressive, but wasps, yellow jackets and hornets can become aggressive to protect their nests.
It is not clear what type of bees attacked and killed Alford. But social media users suspected yellow vests.
‘We have been inundated with yellow vests all summer. I have tried every means to get rid of it,” one person wrote.