TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A hiking guide died after he was stung over 50 times by hornets while leading a group of students on an east Taiwan trail Thursday (Aug. 22).
The group from Pingtung County was attacked by a swarm of hornets on Thursday on the Jinshuiying Historic Trail in Taitung County, per UDN. The 41-year-old guide surnamed Hung (洪) tried to fend off the hornets. His condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead early Friday morning.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) had established a public welfare trust fund using election subsidies for student activities. In its second year, the award-winning student team took part in a summer work-study program, logging over 1,700 hours of service, which included a challenge to hike the Jingshuiying Historic Trail.
The group 20 included student leaders and guides. It started the hike from the Pingtung side of the trail Thursday morning and was scheduled to descend from the Taitung end by the evening.
The group was attacked by hornets about 2.5 km from the exit at Jialaban Hamlet (Qaljapang) in Taitung County's Dawu Township. When the incident happened group members said the students were ahead and Hung was at the back, per CNA.
Upon seeing the swarm of hornets, Hung shouted for the students to run forward while he attempted to swat the hornets away. This provoked the hornets, leading to an attack, and Hung was stung until he collapsed.
A 16-year-old male high school student, a 19-year-old female college student, and Hung were stung. The two students, who suffered minor injuries, managed to make their way down the mountain on their own.
However, Hung was lying on the ground and was surrounded by hornets, making it impossible for the group members to approach him. Taitung County Fire Department was notified and dispatched a rescue team.
Firefighters hiked into the mountainous area Thursday evening, reaching Hung by 7 p.m. He was unable to move due to the severity of the stings on his back.
A senior emergency medical technician from the fire department administered three doses of Bosmin (a cardiac stimulant) and other treatments before transporting him down the mountain on a stretcher around 10 p.m. He was then taken to Dawu Township Health Clinic. At the time, Hung was conscious, with low blood oxygen levels but stable vital signs.
However, 30 minutes later, Hung's condition worsened, and he fell into a coma. The clinic immediately notified the fire department to transfer Hung to the Taitung Mackay Memorial Hospital. He was pronounced dead around 2 a.m.