Yellow Jackets Attack Fairgoers

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KCBS) More than 70 people were stung by yellow jackets at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton Friday night after the ground nest was apparently disturbed during a fireworks show.

Fair spokeswoman April Mitchell said that about halfway through the show around 9:30 p.m., a group of yellow jackets were stirred up at the north end of the grandstands.

Mitchell said about 70 people were stung, despite efforts by staff and law enforcement personnel to clear the area.

Everyone who was stung was treated at the scene by Alameda County firefighters.

The victims ranged from a 60-year-old adult to a 6-month-old infant, with some suffering multiple stings, according to fire spokeswoman Aisha Knowles.

She said no one suffered allergic reactions and no one needed to be taken to the hospital.

Investigators initially thought the stings were from bees, but ten insect carcasses were collected and determined to be ground-burrowing yellow jackets.

Mitchell said this was the first incident of this proportion involving insects on the fairground.