Man stung by bees 890 times in the face dies in West Bengal

When 62-year-old Nirmal Dutta, from the small town of Sukantapalliin West Bengal, was on his way home with his son, a doctor, on a motorcycle last Monday, little did he realise it would be his last ride.

As the former school headmaster drove home from Durgaput City Centre, his son complained of a sharp jab near Major Park (a bee had stung him). Uncomfortable, the son asked the father to stop the bike so he could assess the damage.

Once they came to a halt, Dutta removed his helmet only to find himself attacked by a rush of bees. He was stung 890 times on his face, a police spokesperson was quoted as saying by Indian newspaper Times of India.

After the father was mercilessly attacked, the insects turned on the son, who ran, trying to call for help.

Eventually, police offers came to their aid after covering themselves up in blankets. The Duttas were taken to hospital; the son was discharged on Thursday but Dutta Sr did not make it.

The incident raises questions of creature behavior patterns as bees are a defensive breed – they tend only to attack when they feel their hives or lives are being threatened.