Man dies after being stung by hundreds of bees

A 55-year-old man died Wednesday after being swarmed and stung by hundreds of bees while clearing brush in a field near San Elijo Lagoon.

The victim was operating a backhoe near the intersection of Manchester Avenue and Pacific Ranch Drive when the insects began attacking him about 11 a.m., Deputy Fire Chief Scott Henry said.

He ran off and tried to take shelter in a nearby outhouse, according to Henry. The man’s nephew, who had been working with him, made a 911 call, and emergency crews found the victim inside the portable lavatory, in “full cardiac arrest,” Henry said.

Medics took him to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, where he was pronounced dead. His name was withheld pending notification of his family.

The victim suffered hundreds of bee stings all over his body, according to Henry.