Man, 43, dies after swallowing a BEE while cycling in freak accident
A CHAMPION rower has died in a freak accident after swallowing a bee while out training.
Waldonilton de Andrade Reis, 43, had been leading a group of cyclists near a beach in Brazil when the bee flew into his mouth.
According to reports, he suffered a severe allergic reaction and died three weeks later.
He had been taking part in a training session on March 2 when the tragic incident took place near Ponta Negra, in Manaus.
He sadly died in hospital on Thursday.
His heartbroken sister Rosilene Reis said there was a brief window where he could have been saved if he had received oxygen and medical treatment within three minutes of the sting.
But Waldonilton was too far away for emergency services to reach him in time.
Rosilene said her brother spent 20 minutes desperately fighting for breath before medics finally arrived.
She told G1: “There was no help, no health centre, no hospital close by. The most that was available was a fire Department base that didn’t have a doctor on duty.
“If there had been adequate care, a doctor, a fireman, or a health centre, someone could have resuscitated my brother.
“But how did he pass? More than three minutes, it took a while to be taken to Joventina, he couldn’t stand it. No person could stand it.”
When medics finally arrived, he was rushed to hospital just over five miles away.
He was taken to another hospital and treated in intensive care but later pronounced dead.
Waldonilton’s family are now calling for better emergency services provision in the area where he was stung.