A 60-year-old Northland farmer came close to death yesterday after being stung up to 100 times by wasps.
Clive Smith went into shock and collapsed soon after disturbing the wasps' nest while he was bulldozing a rotten pine tree on his son's property at Matakohe, on the Kaipara Harbour in Northland.
His
son, Jason Smith, said a swarm of German wasps attacked his father and forced him to abandon the bulldozer and run 100m to his homestead.
Jason Smith said about 10 wasps were still stinging his father's face when he reached the homestead.
The father and son returned to turn off the bulldozer and on the way back to the homestead Clive Smith started to feel ill.
His son rang the local doctor, who arrived within 20 minutes, followed shortly by an ambulance and the rescue helicopter.
Dr Lynne Mitchell said Mr Smith was near death when she was called to the scene but soon perked up after receiving drugs.
She said the wasps' poison had rapidly lowered his blood pressure and sent him into shock.
Mr Smith was airlifted to Whangarei Hospital, where he was held overnight for observation.
- STAFF REPORTERS
