Bees attack lawnmowing man in Melbourne

(AAP) A Melbourne lawnmowing contractor has been stung at least 40 times by a swarm of bees.

The 39-year-old was using a slashing machine on the back of a tractor when he
disturbed the swarm in a blackberry bush earlier Thursday, paramedics said.
He tried to drive away and then ran along the road to escape.
Ambulance Victoria received the call to the intersection of Mt Riddell Road and Don
Road at Healesville, north east of Melbourne, just before 11am (AEDT).
Intensive care paramedic Ashley Jackson said the crew arrived within three minutes.
"The first crew removed five stings from his face but they were also all through his
hair," Mr Jackson said in a statement.
"He was in significant pain so we put a drip in his arm and provided him with pain
relief, and some medication to help his breathing.
"The man has been stung by bees in the past due to his work, and had an allergic
reaction as a child.
"We were concerned about the potential for a severe allergic reaction, which could
become life threatening very quickly.
Mr Jackson said paramedics closely monitored the man's breathing and heart rate as
he was transported to Maroondah Hospital in a stable condition.