Phoenix bee attacks prompt intersection closure

A Swarm of bees attacked motorists and pedestrians at 43rd Avenue and Greenway Road on Wednesday evening, prompting the stung to flee their vehicles and police to close the intersection.

A 42-year-old man was taken to a hospital in serious condition, and paramedics treated at least two others for stings at the scene, Phoenix Fire Captain Tony Mure said. Residents reported that four horses and six dogs were also stung.

Mure said numerous people called 911 about the bees by 6:30 p.m., an hour after a nearby homeowner treated a hive on the property.

Taylor Hoil, 16, was on his way to a Navy Seal recruitment meeting when he rode his bike through the Swarm. Hoil said he was stung on his arms, back and neck and had abandoned his bike and a backpack at the scene until it was OK to retrieve them.

Mure said firefighters doused the hive with foam, rendering it safe. Authorities checked the neighborhood for other hives but found none that were active.

The intersection was reopened by 8 p.m.