Man dies after being stung by swarm of bees on his own porch

A 59-year-old Kentucky man has died after being stung by a swarm of bees on a porch at his home, officials said.

The horrific incident took place in Harlan County Tuesday evening as the victim was moving an old bag of soil, according to a Facebook post from the Harlan County Coroner’s Office.

Officials have not formally identified the deceased man, but family members named him as Mike Alford, a married dad and grandfather from Dizney, Kentucky.

Alford’s actions apparently disturbed a swarm of bees that was nesting inside the bag, which then flew out and attacked him, according to the coroner’s office.

The 59-year-old’s family members who were at home at the time came to his aid and began CPR, before an ambulance arrived and medics took over the life-saving efforts.

Alford was later taken to Harlan ARH Hospital’s emergency room, where doctors continued fighting for his life, but without success.

He was pronounced dead by a deputy coroner shortly before 6 p.m.

It was not immediately known whether Alford was allergic to bee stings.

The coroner’s office is investigating the death.

“Our heart felt [sic] prayers go out to the entire family and friends,” the post read.

Alford was a life-long resident of Harlan County and previously worked as a gas station manager, according to his obituary.

“Mike enjoyed four-wheeling, playing the piano, collecting knives and whittling,” it read.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margalene Alford, their three grown children and 11 grandchildren.

His daughter Marlana Ledford has launched a GoFundMe campaign, writing in the description that her father died in an “accident with bees.”

She said that Alford did not have life insurance and that that his family were struggling to come up with the money for his funeral set for Saturday.