<p>A 23-year-old hiker has been killed by a swarm of furious Arizona bees, which stung him over 1,000 times along a Phoenix-area trail, police said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Alex Bestler from Louisiana was hiking through Usery Mountain Regional Park with a friend yesterday when the bees attacked them, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.<br /><br />The pair did not provoke the bees, which began attacking without any warning.<br /><br />Bestler's friend, a woman only identified as Sonya, was able to escape the aggressive bugs by ducking into a trail restroom.<br /><br />Good Samaritans in the park tried to get to Bestler to render first aid — but the angry bees kept them from reaching the hiker, who was lying on the trail, "covered by bees," officials said.<br /><br />Park sergeant Romer was finally able to get to the dying man by driving through the swarm with a park patrol car.<br /><br />Romer loaded Bestler into his vehicle and drove him to doctors.<br /><br />He was "still covered with bees, and a swarm pursuing" as the cop ferried him to help, officials said.<br /><br />The swarm had dispersed by the time the officer got Bestler to emergency medical workers.<br /><br />Bestler was stung more than 1,000 times, doctors found. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.<br /><br />Romer, who suffered several stings himself and was poked by a cactus during the chaos, was also treated for minor injuries.<br /><br />Usery Mountain Regional Park has been closed while park staffers investigate the bee attack.<br /><br />Sheriff Joe Arpaio said, "I commend Sgt. Romer for risking his life trying to save the victim. These attacks are becoming more frequent and I urge the public to be aware of their surroundings when out in these areas."</p>
<p>A 23-year-old hiker has been killed by a swarm of furious Arizona bees, which stung him over 1,000 times along a Phoenix-area trail, police said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Alex Bestler from Louisiana was hiking through Usery Mountain Regional Park with a friend yesterday when the bees attacked them, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.<br /><br />The pair did not provoke the bees, which began attacking without any warning.<br /><br />Bestler's friend, a woman only identified as Sonya, was able to escape the aggressive bugs by ducking into a trail restroom.<br /><br />Good Samaritans in the park tried to get to Bestler to render first aid — but the angry bees kept them from reaching the hiker, who was lying on the trail, "covered by bees," officials said.<br /><br />Park sergeant Romer was finally able to get to the dying man by driving through the swarm with a park patrol car.<br /><br />Romer loaded Bestler into his vehicle and drove him to doctors.<br /><br />He was "still covered with bees, and a swarm pursuing" as the cop ferried him to help, officials said.<br /><br />The swarm had dispersed by the time the officer got Bestler to emergency medical workers.<br /><br />Bestler was stung more than 1,000 times, doctors found. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.<br /><br />Romer, who suffered several stings himself and was poked by a cactus during the chaos, was also treated for minor injuries.<br /><br />Usery Mountain Regional Park has been closed while park staffers investigate the bee attack.<br /><br />Sheriff Joe Arpaio said, "I commend Sgt. Romer for risking his life trying to save the victim. These attacks are becoming more frequent and I urge the public to be aware of their surroundings when out in these areas."</p>