Mother and Toddler Stung Over 150 Times Each in Bee Swarm Attack, Grandmother Seeks New Safety Rules

A mother and her 2-year-old son were stung more than 150 times each after being attacked by a swarm of thousands of bees in Scotland, leaving both needing to be airlifted to a hospital, reports The Sunday Times.

The horrific bee attack in Wester Ross happened last July when Rosie Kirkness and her toddler son, Jamie, were out walking, according to The Sunday Times. The attack was so terrifying that the toddler began vomiting bees, the report said.

The mother and child reportedly suffered serious complications following the mass bee attack, and the incident has continued to affect them nearly a year later.

According to The Sunday Times, Rosie and Jamie were walking around Wester Ross, Scotland, when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by thousands of bees.

Rosie initially noticed a bee in her hair. Soon afterward, her arm was reportedly covered in bees as the swarm attacked both her and Jamie. The mother eventually collapsed after being stung so many times. Despite the terrifying situation, Rosie managed to reach a nearby house with her son.

A man at the property allowed Rosie and Jamie inside while emergency services were contacted. The severity of the situation became clear when the man later described what he had witnessed to Rosie’s mother, Susan Kirkness.

He reportedly told Susan he would “never forget seeing that wee boy lying at the side of the road covered head to toe in bees.”

The situation became even more horrifying as Rosie and Jamie tried to escape the swarm. The mother and son reportedly rinsed the bees from their bodies in the man’s shower while paramedics traveled to the scene.

At one point, Jamie reportedly began vomiting bees. Rosie and her toddler were eventually airlifted to hospital for emergency treatment after reportedly suffering more than 150 stings each.

The Scotland bee attack reportedly caused a number of serious medical problems for Rosie and Jamie. According to the report, the pair were treated for kidney issues, venom-induced spasms, severe swelling and cellulitis following the attack.

For Rosie, the experience was so frightening that she reportedly collapsed during the attack while trying to protect herself and her child.

The emotional effects of the bee swarm attack have continued long after Rosie and Jamie left hospital. Both mother and son have reportedly been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the incident.

Susan described what happened to her daughter and grandson as being like “something out of a horror film.” The family has reportedly continued to deal with anxiety and trauma connected to the attack, according to the reports.

Nearly a year after the incident, Susan took her concerns to the Scottish Parliament. On July 21, she launched a petition calling for beehives in public spaces to be banned until new safety regulations are introduced.

In the petition, Susan argued that Scotland currently lacks clear legislation governing where beehives can be located in relation to public areas. She also called attention to the lack of mandatory warning signs when beekeepers are working with hives.

Susan wrote in the petition: “There is currently no clear Scottish legislation regulating where beehives can be placed in relation to public spaces, nor any requirement for safety signage when beekeepers are working on hives. Other activities with far lower risk require visible warnings, yet beekeeping does not.”

Her petition is based on the family's experience and raises questions about safety precautions around beehives located close to areas used by the public.

Susan alleged that the bee attack involving her daughter and grandson occurred while a beekeeper was working on hives without warning signs or barriers. According to the petition, Susan believes the bees became defensive after they were disturbed and subsequently swarmed Rosie and Jamie.

Susan wrote that her daughter and grandson “continue to experience ongoing trauma and anxiety.”

The family is now seeking greater safety measures around beekeeping activities in public spaces.

Susan also made another serious allegation while speaking to The Sunday Times. She claimed that the beekeeper admitted to hearing Rosie in distress during the attack but chose not to help her.