Wasp stings killed elderly man

Public health officials say the death of a 72-year-old Genesee, Wis., man from wasp stings is uncommon but shows the dangers of venomous insects.

Harold Lueck Jr. died Sunday at a hospital in Oconomowoc, Wis., after experiencing a minor reaction to wasp stings last month.

"This doesn't happen very often, but it is always possible," Nancy Healy, the Waukesha County public health manager, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Lueck, a retired truck driver married for 49 years, suffered complications after being attacked by a swarm of wasps Aug. 19 while trimming trees.

His face was so swollen he could not open his eyes.

Wisconsin officials have warned residents to be careful outdoors heading into the fall because of aggressive insects like German yellow jackets.

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