Downham Market beekeeper dies from one sting

Steven Adderson who died from a bee sting with his beloved Land Rover. Picture: Ian Burt

A Norfolk beekeeper who knew he was allergic to the insects died from a single sting after refusing to quit the hobby he loved.

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Graham Adderson is taking part in a fundraising event at Snetterton, after his son Steven died earlier his year from a bee sting. Picture: Ian Burt Graham Adderson is taking part in a fundraising event at Snetterton, after his son Steven died earlier his year from a bee sting. Picture: Ian Burt

Steven Adderson promised to “be careful” when his worried father pleaded with him to give up keeping bees.

But the 39 year old from Downham Market received the fatal sting after forgetting to put on protective boots when checking out a “rogue swarm” at a neighbour’s house.

Now his father Graham, 68, has spoken out to warn others about the danger of anaphylactic shock, which thousands of people are at risk of suffering when stung.

Mr Adderson senior, who owns the Downham Fryer fish and chip shop on Bridge Street, said he urged his “gentle giant” son, who stood at 6ft 9in, to give up his two-year hobby.

Anaphylactic shock Anaphylaxis, often known as anaphylactic shock, is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop rapidly that can affect people of all ages. Symtoms incluse itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash, swollen eyes, lips, hands and feet, feeling faint, wheezing, difficult or noisy breathing, stomach cramps, vomiting and/or collapse. Some of the common triggers for anaphylaxis are insect stings, medication and foods such as nuts, milk, and seafood. In May 2007 beekeeper Micheal McClean died from anaphylactic shock after being stung as he tended his hive in Lessingham, near Stalham, when he was stung on the throat. He had been stung several times in the past and carried an EpiPen after suffering an allergic reaction to a bee sting in 2005. If you suspect that you or somebody else is experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, dial 999 for an ambulance.

He said: “When we found out that he was allergic to bees I said to him ‘I shouldn’t bother with those bees - it could kill you’, but he said ‘I will be alright, I will be careful’.”

Mr Adderson said on the morning of June 17 this year, engineer Steven was on his way to work when he went to investigate the bees at a neighbour’s house.

“He put his suit on but I think he was in a rush to get to work and forgot to put the boots on and got stung on the ankle. He could not find the queen bee.”

Steven, who carried an EpiPen - a device to inject adrenaline - managed to walk a few minutes back to his home and dialled 999. He told the operator he was feeling faint and light-headed but seconds later he collapsed.

“When the ambulance arrived, they had emptied every bit of adrenaline they had and rushed him to hospital, but they couldn’t do anything for him,” he said.

His popular son’s funeral service took place at St Edmund Church in Downham Market which was packed.

Steven was also a big fan of Land Rovers and Mr Adderson will be taking part in a charity motor show in Snetterton next month with his beloved MG XPower SV and will he selling passenger rides.

He added: “I would urge people to be careful with bees - if one lands on you, don’t whack it off, just blow it away.”

A spokesman for the Office of National Statistics said deaths related to bee stings were very rare, with one recorded in the UK in 2012 and none in 2013.

Gill Maclean from the British Beekeeper’s Association said Steven’s death was “an extremely tragic and extremely rare” case.

She said: “If you know you are allergic then the sensible thing to do is to give beekeeping up or not start it. The most important thing we would say is to get the training and education. But bees don’t set out to sting people as they die straightaway afterwards; they are more interested in finding a flower.”

■ Do you have a Downham Market story? Email natalie.copeland@archant.co.uk