Hornet attack in Sungei Buloh: 5 taken to hospital including boy in oxygen mask
Five people, including a boy, were taken to hospital after a hornet attack at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on July 14 afternoon.
Stomper Danny shared photos of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulances and paramedics at the Wetland Centre with the victims of the attack.
"I happened to pass by the area when I was warned not to enter a bridge as a number of people were stung by bees," recounted the Stomper.
"It was learnt that the beehives were below the wooden bridge and something or someone might have stamped hard on the wooden platform that made the bees attack the people."
As it turned out, it was hornets, not bees.
The Stomper added that he saw four ambulances.
"The young boy was in an oxygen mask and some adults were applying ice packs on the top of their heads," he added.
In response to a Stomp query, SCDF said it received a call for assistance at 301 Neo Tiew Crescent at about 4.55pm.
Four people were taken to Woodlands Health Campus and one was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital, said SCDF.
The National Parks Board group director of conservation Lim Liang Jim told The Straits Times that NParks officers had assisted the affected visitors before they were taken to the hospital for further medical treatment.
He added that NParks will survey the site of the incident for the presence of any hornet's nests.
Hornets are large-bodied wasps that live in large colonies that build their nests using plant fibres. Like the honey bees, hornets will readily sting to defend their hives.
In natural environments, hornets may build their hives on trees, within low-lying shrubs, and even on the ground.
In urban areas, they may also build their hives on building facades or on man-made objects, such as under the eaves of roofs and on fences.
Mr Lim said that those who encounter hornets should remain as calm as possible, and refrain from hitting the insects.
If a hornet is resting on a part of their body, they should calmly move it or gently brush it off, and it will fly away peacefully.
"If members of the public have been stung by a hornet, they should wash the wound with soap and water, and apply an ice pack," said Mr Lim.
"They should seek immediate medical attention if allergic reactions such as rashes, swelling or breathlessness occur."
