Man stung 160 times after wasps invaded his home

Andrew Powell says he is “lucky to be alive” after being stung 160 times

Andrew Powell A man's back covered in wasp stings — Andrew Powell says he is “lucky to be alive” after being stung 160 times

A man was stung 160 times by wasps after the insects were disturbed and invaded his home.

Andrew Powell, 57, said he hasn’t been able to sleep due to the pain since the attack on Sunday which left him needing hospital treatment.

The festival organiser from Brecon said the sky “turned brown” with the wasps after a local farmer’s combine harvester disturbed a nest in a field.

“I stumbled about the front of the house and into the shower, but they followed me in, and stung me through my clothes in the shower,” Mr Powell said.

Wasps unlike bees do not die after one sting and can alert other wasps if killed

Getty Images Up close of a wasp — Wasps unlike bees do not die after one sting and can alert other wasps if killed

“The bathroom was full of them,” he added.

Mr Powell said he was stung 15 times to the back of his head, but managed to avoid getting stung in his face.

“I was running fast,” he said.

Mr Powel ran to his bathroom where the wasps continued their attack on him

Andrew Powell Man showing back in the mirror — Mr Powel ran to his bathroom where the wasps continued their attack on him

He said his friend Richard, who lives nearby, drove him straight to the the minor injuries unit at Brecon War Memorial Hospital.

“I was dropping in and out of consciousness,” he said, adding: “All I could see was a white light and I thought ‘here we go’.”

He said nurses were “amazing” and administered adrenaline, morphine and co-codamol for the pain.

“If they hadn’t, then I’d be dead,” he said.

He says doctors were surprised to find he’d been stung 160 times

Andrew Powell Man's stomach covered in wasp stings — He says doctors were surprised to find he’d been stung 160 times

After his initial treatment at Brecon he was transferred to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil later on Sunday evening.

“The doctor there eventually came to see me at about 02:30 in the morning and said to me he believed I’d suffered a couple of stings,” he said.

“The doctor was shocked when he told him it was 160 stings.”

Mr Powell, who helps organise the Brecon Beacons Food Festival, said he is recovering at home on the outskirts of the town now.

“I feel really quite weak and tired because I haven’t slept since it happened because there’s just too much pain,” he said.

“The stings have got worse and have turned purple.”

Andrew – pictured with wife Gina – says he hasn’t been able to sleep because of the pain from the stings

Andrew Powell Man and woman look at the camera — Andrew – pictured with wife Gina – says he hasn’t been able to sleep because of the pain from the stings

After thanking staff, Mr Powell said he is concerned about plans to reduce the operating hours of Brecon’s minor injuries unit.

“It’s open 24 hours now, but it can be so busy, especially in the summer months with all the people who visit Bannau Brycheiniog, you just never know when you might need it,” he said.

He added: “If it wasn’t for that unit in Brecon and those two wonderful nurses on Sunday night, I wouldn’t be here now,” said Andrew.

“I might be a bit battered now, but I’m going to fight for it,” he said.