LAPD volunteer in bee attack to be compensated

The city will cover medical expenses for the man, who will require facial surgery.

The city will cover the medical expenses of a Los Angeles Police Department volunteer who was stung by a swarm of bees Monday in Encino, according to the department.

Thousands of bees swarmed the man in the 17100 block of Adlon Road, near the Encino Reservoir, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Video of the incident went viral. Surrounding roads were closed and an apiologist was called to the scene, officials said.

The victim, a volunteer with the LAPD, had been called to the area to provide traffic control. He was repeatedly stung as he approached a home, according to the department. In aerial video captured by KTLATV, the uniformed volunteer can be seen swatting at the bees as he tries to make his way to safety. He falls to the ground repeatedly and at one point lands on his face in the street.

The volunteer, identified only as Gary in a GoFundMe campaign started by his son, spent several days in the hospital and will require facial surgery.

Gary has volunteered with the LAPD for nearly 18 years, wrote his son, identified as Daniel K., who initially said he was starting the fundraiser to pay for his father’s expenses that are not covered by the city, including uniform, gear and medical bills.

The LAPD announced Wednesday that insurance through the city “will ensure our volunteers are not financially burdened should they be injured.”

Daniel K. confirmed in an update on GoFundMe that the city will pay for all of his father’s medical-related expenses not covered by Medicare.