An amateur beekeeper died from anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee on his left ear, having failed to wear a protective hat, a coroner has concluded. Alan Ransom, 55, from Godshill, Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, passed away on 15 May 2024 at St Mary's Hospital in Newport.
Senior coroner Caroline Sumeray recorded a conclusion of misadventure, stating the cause of death as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and anaphylactic shock, directly resulting from a severe reaction to a bee sting. The coroner noted that Mr Ransom's death was 'pursuant to developing an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting on his left ear, after he failed to wear a beekeeper’s hat.'
Mr Ransom, born in Epsom, Surrey, worked as a civil engineer and ran a YouTube channel called 'The Vectis Beeman' since July 2022, where he described himself as a 'hobbyist beekeeper'. He wrote: 'Follow my journey as I document my mistakes and my successes as I endeavour to progress from a complete newbie to a more experienced and rounded beekeeper.'
In 2023, he gained local attention for rehoming a swarm of about 2,000 bees from the car park at Island Roads in Newport, his workplace, to a hive at Marvel Solar Farm. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can be triggered by insect stings, with symptoms including swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, and a rash.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has strengthened guidance on recognising and responding to anaphylaxis, including the use of adrenaline auto-injectors such as EpiPen and Jext, which can be life-saving when administered promptly.
