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Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A Kentucky man has died of respiratory failure after being attacked by a swarm of bees while on his porch in Kentucky. Michael Alford, 59, of Dizney, Ky., was moving a bag of potting soil on Monday when he was swarmed by bees that were inside the bag.
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His family administered CPR until first responders arrived. Alford was pronounced dead at the hospital, the Harlan County Coroner's Office said in a news release.
Deputy Coroner John Jones said Alford had underlying health issues that likely played a factor in his death.
Between 2011 and 2021 there were 788 deaths related to hornet, wasp and bee stings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 84% of those deaths were in men.
The most deaths occurred in 2017 when more than 80 people were killed as a result of stings.
Alford had lived his entire life in Harlan County, Ky., according to his obituary.
His pastimes included four-wheeling, playing piano, collecting knives and whittling.
He is survived by his wife, Chi-Chi Margalene "Margo" Hughes Alford, three children and 11 grandchildren.
