Bees Injure Visitors to Forbes State Park

Kinmundy-Alma Fire Chief Kevin Day says something has turned a hive of honeybees along the Equestrian Trail at Forbes State Park near Kinmundy vicious.

The bees attacked horse riders on both Saturday and Sunday, stinging them so many times the riders had to abandon their horses and were laying on the ground when emergency help arrived. Day said they were hampered in both cases because those injured didn't know their location in the park. They were taken off the trail on a side by side to an ambulance. Both were taken to Salem Township Hospital for treatment. 

One of those injured is 50-year-old Kim Kobler of Effingham. The other was a 59-year-old woman from Mt. Vernon. Later reports indicated Kobler was brought to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, and then transferred on to Carle Hospital in Urbana.

Day said the fire department might seek a grant to help finance placement of mile posts along the 13-mile trail so those who need help would have some reference point to give to emergency responders.