Woman attacked by bees at Laguna Woods Golf Course plans to take legal action

LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. (KABC) -- Two women who were stung by a swarm of bees at the Laguna Woods Golf Course were released from the hospital and are now recovering.

One of the women was stung more than 100 times while attempting to stop the swarm from attacking her friend at the Laguna Woods Golf Course Tuesday.

A photo shows dozens of stingers doctors removed from Bock-Hi Shim, 74. Her attorney, Eric Dubin, spoke exclusively with Eyewitness News about what happened.

"The bees turned on her in the hundreds, and at one point, she went down on one knee and just resolved herself to dying," he said.

The Orange County Fire Authority said the women were walking down the fairway when a lawn mower ran over an irrigation box, disturbing a bee hive inside.

The bees first attacked Shim's friend, stinging her 15 times before Shim jumped in.

"Bees then swarmed on the rescuer, and she was covered on her head, neck, back and arms. She was trying to get them away," Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

When paramedics arrived, they used credit cards to remove most of the stingers before taking the two women to a nearby hospital. Dubin said the situation could have been avoided.

"Not only the maintenance crew disturbing this hive of bees, but allowing these bees to be on the course," he said.

The area of the bee attack has been cordoned off until the hive can be removed. The homeowner's association that manages the course told Eyewitness News their thoughts are with the women, and they wish them a speedy recovery.

Shim's lawyer said he and his client plan to take legal action soon.