Calif. beekeeper attacked by 'killer bees'

LONG BEACH, Calif. - An 83-year-old beekeeper who did not realizehis hives were apparently taken over by Africanized "killer bees" wasattacked while mowing his lawn and was in critical condition.

Virgil Foster was stung 50 times Tuesday and was not breathingwhen paramedics arrived. He went into cardiac arrest as they workedon him.

Health department officials estimate Foster's three hives,originally set up for more timid European bees, held about 1 millionAfricanized honeybees. They also built a hive in a tree.

Africanized bees are not more venomous than other varieties, butthey are more aggressive and attack in large numbers. They appearvery similar to European …