British expat dies from allergic reaction to bee sting in Phuket

A 69 year old British man died from a severe allergic reaction to a single bee sting yesterday in Phuket, southern Thailand, reports KhaoSod.

Volunteers from Rawai Rescue Unit rushed to a house in Soi Kit Prasarn 1 in Rawai district after they were informed that a foreigner was in critical condition after being stung by a bee.

Upon arrival, rescue workers found 69 year old Stephen Leonard Prince of British nationality lying unconscious on the bed with no pulse. The volunteers performed CPR and rushed him to Chalong Hospital, where Prince tragically died from his severe allergic reaction.

Prince’s Thai wife said that her husband was riding his motorbike home when he was stung by a bee and passed out.

As Prince has a history of allergic reactions, he and his wife were prepared for this moment. Prince’s wife administered his EpiPen right away but the medicine was not effective, so she called 1669 for urgent help.

In the past, Prince accidentally ate honey and had an allergic reaction so severe that he lost consciousness, his wife said. Another time, he was stung on the hand by a bee and had a severe reaction. He was also allergic to ant bites and other insect bites, she added.

Rescue worker Natchak Wattanaratjirot said that in his four years working for the service, this is the first time he has encountered a fatal reaction to a bee sting. He said that most people who get stung experience swelling, a rash and itchiness.

Prince’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy to confirm his cause of death.

The victim’s fatal allergic reaction arose from a single bee sting, added the rescue team.

Every so often, news of a fatal reaction to bee stings makes the news in Thailand but usually occurs when someone is swarmed by bees and sustains hundreds of stings. One year ago, a 90 year old woman from Chaiyaphum in northeast Thailand died after being swarmed by wasps.