Cowboys fled on their panicking mounts as they were attacked by a deadly swarm of bees, which left one of the animals dead and dozens of people maimed.
More than 250 spectators and 150 riders were at the traditional Nucleo de Casas Enxaimel event, where they recreate the lifestyle of the 19th century. Shock video taken from the scene in Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, showed stable hands desperately attempting to control the horses as a swarm of bees descended on them, stinging people dozens of times. Several were seen running straight into the swarm to untether the animals so they could be saved.
The swarm left one horse dead and over 30 people injured, according to local media reports. One clip showed the horses bucking and rearing as they whinney in terror, trying to flee the attack.
Ernesto Bortolli, 79, said: “It was a horrible pain. There were more than 100 stings on my head, according to the doctor who treated me.
“The bees also attacked me, on my neck, ears and nose. Now, I have been treated and I am at home, thank God. But it was a scare.”
“I told my grandson to take our horses further away and, in the meantime, another horse crossed the road and fell dead in the middle of the undergrowth. I was about 10 metres away, and the animals started attacking me.
“I started screaming for help, and a group arrived with buckets of water, others making smoke. The ambulance arrived, which I got in and went to the hospital, otherwise I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
Firefighters eventually dispersed the swarm using high-pressure hoses and smoke. The police later confirmed that one horse had died in the attack.
City Hall officials said in a statement: “During a private horse riding event, which had the support of the city an incident occurred involving a swarm of bees, which attacked horses and participants. Some people were injured and were taken to the Sao Jose Hospital in Ivoti and other hospitals in the region.”
Last month punters ran for safety as a swarm of around 3,000 bees descended on their local, with the loud buzzers spreading itself all over the boozer. The insects landed at the Brothers Arms pub, in Heeley, Sheffield and began swarming over its walls and a patio area.
Footage shows hundreds of flying insects gathering on a white van which was parked outside the pub, with the noise getting louder as they settled on the bonnet.
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