Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water -
Posted: 14 Jul 2009, 11:22
Boaters who abandoned vessel after bee attack rescued from river
melbz, FL — Four boaters who jumped overboard after finding a beehive aboard their vessel have been rescued from the Indian River Lagoon.
Angela Tates and her son, Terry, 11, along with Lynn Burton and her daughter, Kassie Pumphrey, 14, were out on Burton’s boat, a 36-foot sailboat named the Walkabout. They said they were in Indian River off melbz Beach when thousands of bees swarmed the boat.
Angela Tates was stung twice. “It was pretty crazy,” she said..
The four, wearing life jackets, jumped into the water. They later crawled back onto the bow of the boat while the bees swarmed at the stern.
melbz Fire Department rescue crews were dispatched about 1:30 p.m. after reports of four people in the lagoon near the melbz Causeway. The boaters were returned to shore at Front Street Park.
“They said there were bees on the boat, enough to make them all jump. It’s a first for me,” said Battalion Chief Frank Avilla of the melbz Fire Department.In addition to melbz rescue teams, Indialantic, the Brevard County Sheriff’s helicopter and the U.S. Coast Guard sent crews to help with the brief search.
In addition to melbz Fire rescue teams, Indialantic, the Brevard County Sheriff’s helicopter and melbz Beach sent crews to help with the brief search.
Officials also located the boat. It was not immediately known what type of vessel was involved, fire officials said.
melbz, FL — Four boaters who jumped overboard after finding a beehive aboard their vessel have been rescued from the Indian River Lagoon.
Angela Tates and her son, Terry, 11, along with Lynn Burton and her daughter, Kassie Pumphrey, 14, were out on Burton’s boat, a 36-foot sailboat named the Walkabout. They said they were in Indian River off melbz Beach when thousands of bees swarmed the boat.
Angela Tates was stung twice. “It was pretty crazy,” she said..
The four, wearing life jackets, jumped into the water. They later crawled back onto the bow of the boat while the bees swarmed at the stern.
melbz Fire Department rescue crews were dispatched about 1:30 p.m. after reports of four people in the lagoon near the melbz Causeway. The boaters were returned to shore at Front Street Park.
“They said there were bees on the boat, enough to make them all jump. It’s a first for me,” said Battalion Chief Frank Avilla of the melbz Fire Department.In addition to melbz rescue teams, Indialantic, the Brevard County Sheriff’s helicopter and the U.S. Coast Guard sent crews to help with the brief search.
In addition to melbz Fire rescue teams, Indialantic, the Brevard County Sheriff’s helicopter and melbz Beach sent crews to help with the brief search.
Officials also located the boat. It was not immediately known what type of vessel was involved, fire officials said.