This is something that has always scared me. Has anyone's horse been stung by a bee while they were riding? What happened?
September 30, 2009
A woman was airlifted to hospital on Sunday after a bee swarm spooked the horse she was riding on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon.
Donna Tewksbury, 70, of Scappoose, Oregon, was on the trail with four other women when the accident occurred.
They became caught in the swarm and her horse fell to the ground after rearing, taking Tewksbury with it. It appears she was injured by the horse when it stood on her as it was getting up.
She suffered wrist and abdomen injuries. Two of her friends rode for help, using the cellphone of hikers they found to summon emergency personnel.
Tewksbury was airlifted to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland about 8.40pm, some five hours after the accident.
Her condition is reported to be fair.
Local police suspect one of the horses may have accidentally stepped on the hive, angering the bees.
Rescue personnel stretchered Tewksbury about 3km to the head of the trail, to allow the air lift to take place.