Wild bee killed Welwyn woman (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Wild bee killed Welwyn woman

5:26pm Tuesday 23rd December 2008 in

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A WILD bee sting killed a Welwyn woman after she telephoned pest control officers, an inquest heard today.

Hertfordshire's coroner, Edward Thomas, said that Elsie Follows, of School Lane, Welwyn village, died of anaphylactic shock following a sting on the head by the insect at her home on September 24.

Her husband had received a telephone call from her while he was at work, during which she voiced distress over the sting. He told her to remain calm and still and quickly went home to see her.

When he arrived he found her unconscious and propped up against a wall with the telephone beside her.

Paramedics quickly visited the scene but she died in the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, despite successful resuscitation, due to severe brain damage and other results of the allergic reaction.

The pest control officers that Mrs Follows had successfully telephoned later visited the house to destroy and seal up a nest. The technician was stung three times during this extermination process.

The court heard that Mrs Follows had previously developed allergic reactions to food and other insect bites.

Mr Follows praised the work done by the hospital staff, paramedics and the pest control team.

Mr Thomas recorded a verdict of accidental death.