Thirty cyclists taking part in an event in Oudtshoorn were stung by bees so badly they had to be rushed to hospital.
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Thirty cyclists in the Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek event in Oudtshoorn were stung by bees so badly they had to be rushed to hospital, two in a critical condition and five serious.
“The cyclists were on a farm along the Kruis River when a team of seven must have disturbed a beehive while on the off-road section,” EMS spokesperson Keri Davids said.
“The two cyclists in a critical condition were airlifted by AMS helicopter to the Klein Karoo Medi-Clinic. Five cyclists were pre-diagnosed as serious and taken by EMS ambulance to the health facility.”
After that incident, event organisers diverted the rest of the cyclists to another route.
“Unfortunately a team of six went past the beehive and were also attacked by the bees. They were airlifted to Klein Karoo Medi-clinic by AMS.”
Of the cyclists taken to hospital one was from Belgium and the rest local.
Carel Herholdt, of event organisers Dryland, said 30 riders in all were stung.
“The medics were on the scene within two minutes of us calling them. We’d like to thank them for their fast and efficient handling of this matter”, he said on the event’s website.
Herholdt said the riders had encountered the swarm of bees about 60km into the race’s first stage.
“We have adjusted the rules to accommodate the injured riders. All riders who are fit for riding may continue the race with no penalties,” he said.
Henk Meyer, a Bridge Team rider said: “I was treated on the scene with over 100 stings removed from me. Some riders were allergic and unable to continue with their race.”
Klein Karoo Medi-Clinic spokesperson Johanna Mokoena said on Monday night: “There were 13 patients still in hospital at the time I left at about 4.30pm. One of them was in a serious condition. He had an allergy. Doctors will do another check on the patients in the morning.”
aziz.hartley@inl.co.za
Cape Times