Overview
- Multiple hikers were stung by a swarm on Camelback Mountain Tuesday morning, prompting a Phoenix Fire technical rescue response at the Cholla Trailhead.
- Reports differ on injuries, with ABC15 citing four people with minor stings while FOX 10 reports eight evaluated and one taken to the hospital.
- The City of Phoenix closed the Cholla and Echo Canyon trails as a bee specialist assesses the area, and officials have not given a reopening time.
- Fire officials said two hikers came down the mountain with help and declined further care as crews continued searching for anyone else who was hurt.
- Experts say many local bees are Africanized honeybees that defend their nests aggressively in warm weather, so hikers are urged to protect the head, move away quickly without running, and stay alert on busy trails.