Postal worker stung dozens of times by hornets along Wheaton route

WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) -- A U.S. Postal Service worker is recovering after she was stung dozens of times by hornets along her route in west suburban Wheaton.

A postal service spokesperson said the female carrier was stung 30-50 times on her head and neck while delivering mail Tuesday afternoon in the 900-block of Dartmouth Drive.

Witnesses said the unsuspecting carrier was attacked as landscapers unsuccessfully tried to remove the hornets' nest from a tree as she was walked by.

"She said, 'This is an emergency.' And she explained that she was just bitten by the wasps because the next was knocked down by our gardeners apparently. They were trimming the tree or something, I don't know the exact detail. And she just wanted to know if I could call 911 for her," witness Sandra Romashko said.

A pest control worker called to the scene said the insects will remain agitated for several hours, but usually only attack when they feel their nest has been threatened. He said he will try to contain them as best as possible.

A spokesperson said the worker is being treated in the emergency room at Central DuPage Hospital, but is not expected to be admitted for the night. She is expected to make a full recovery.