Paulina Pineda

The Republic | azcentral.com

A massive swarm of bees attacked four people in Douglas on Wednesday, sending two to the hospital, where one victim was pronounced dead, according to Douglas fire officials.

Douglas Fire Department responded to a 911 call around 10:30 a.m. after the caller alerted authorities to a swarm of bees in the 1800 block of East 20th Street.

On arrival, the fire crew found two landscape workers outside of the residence with critical injuries. One of the workers had collapsed and was in respiratory arrest when emergency medical personnel arrived, said Douglas Fire Capt. Ray Luzania.

Both landscape workers were transported to Cochise Regional Hospital, where one of the victims died from his injuries. The second victim was thought to have had about 100 bee stings, Luzania said.

A third landscape worker and a neighbor were also attacked.

The names of the victims have not been released.

The department called a professional bee exterminator to assist with the extermination of the bees. The exterminator found a large hive, about 4 feet wide and 6 feet long, inside the attic in the front of the home.

The exterminator said the hive was about 10 years old and estimated about 800,000 bees were inside.

Luzania said the landscapers' were using a lawnmower and edge trimmer, which might have set off the bees.

The home's owner, a 90-year-old male, was evacuated and is staying with his daughter.

Luzania said although Douglas has year-round bee activity, bees are especially active in the spring.