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Golfers Attacked By Swarm Of Bees In Laguna Woods; Riverside Crossing Guards Stung In Separate Attack

LAGUNA WOODS (CBSLA.com) — Four people in two counties were stung multiple times in separate bee attacks Tuesday.

Two women in their 70s were attacked by a swarm of bees at the Laguna Woods Golf Course Tuesday.

The bee attack happened about 11 a.m. at the golf course, 24112 Moulton Parkway, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

A maintenance man on a lawn mower apparently disturbed a hive, prompting the swarm of bees to descend on a 72-year-old woman, who was stung about 15 times, Concialdi said.

The woman's 74-year-old friend rushed to help her, swatting the bees away, but then the swarm attacked her, stinging her 105 times.

Both women were taken to Saddleback Memorial Hospital in moderate but stable condition. The 74-year-old woman will spend the night at the hospital.

Firefighters advise running away from a swarm of bees instead of attempting to swat them away, Concialdi said.

"You can outrun bees," he said. "Just get away from them."

Paramedics used credit cards to help take the stingers out, he said.

"Just push (the credit card) into the skin and scrape it and it pulls the stinger right out," Concialdi said.

The women, who had just played the 11th hole and were on their way to the 12th when the bees attacked, were taken to Saddleback Memorial Hospital for further treatment, according to Concialdi.

A few hours later in Riverside, two crossing guards at Lincoln Avenue and Harrison Street were being treated for injuries after they were attacked by bees at about 1:54 p.m.

Police had to be called in to evacuate Harrison Elementary students because the bees were reported to be very aggressive.

At least one of the crossing guards was taken to Parkview Community Hospital in unknown condition.

Harrison Elementary was placed on lockdown as firefighters attempted to locate the bees.

There have been a number of bee attacks in Orange County in recent weeks.

A roofer and a neighbor in Costa Mesa were stung repeatedly after a rooftop hive was disturbed last week, while a truck crash into a light pole on the Eastern Transportation Corridor (261) Tollway in Irvine disturbed yet another hive, trapping the driver and keeping two good Samaritans from being able to rescue the driver.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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