Hiker dies after 1,000 bee stings

PHOENIX, AZ -- A man has died after being swarmed by bees.

The 22-year-old was hiking on a trail in Arizona, KPHO-TV reports.

Experts still aren't sure what prompted the bees to attack.

Hikers at Usery Mountain Park were stunned to learn that a man died after being swarmed and stung more than 1,000 times by bees Thursday.

"I've been coming out here for many years, and I've seen bees and I can hear bees, but I have never had a problem with them personally, and this is the first I've heard ever heard of such an attack like this at this park," said Cindy Hinkleman.

The sheriff's office identified the victim as Alex Bestler of Louisiana. They say he was hiking on the Vista Trail with a friend when the attack happened.

His friend, who was in front of him, was able to get away and take cover in a bathroom.

"This is about the time they're out in full force," Hinkleman said.

And they're not just out on the trails. A man in Phoenix was swarmed Thursday in a neighborhood near 15th Avenue and Union Hills. He is expected to survive.

In Bestler's case, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says the bees were just too aggressive, and they're still not sure what set them off.