Hiker Who Was Killed By 1,000 Bee Stings Was Visiting Area to Meet His Father for the First Time

A Louisiana man who was killed Thursday by some 1,000 bee stings was in Arizona to meet his father for the first time.

Alex Bestler, 23, was on a hike with his stepsister in Mesa when the two were swarmed by angry bees. While his sibling was able to run to a bathroom and take cover, Bestler wasn't so lucky.

And it all unfolded while Bestler was in the area to meet his dad for the very first time, family members told KPNX.

Read: Zoo Shoots Gorilla to Protect Boy Who Fell Into Enclosure 

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, another hiker and park employees tried to help Bestler, who they discovered on the ground and covered in bees, tried to approach him but to stay back because of the aggressiveness of the insects.

With the assistance of two Rural Metro Fire Fighters, Maricopa County Sheriff's Sgt. Romer was able to load Alex onto a utility vehicle and remove him from the scene, still covered with bees, and the swarm pursued.

Read: Killer Bees Swarm California Town, Killing Two Dogs and Terrorizing Residents

“I commend Sgt. Romer for risking his life trying to save the victim," Maricopa County's Sheriff Joe Arpaio said in a release.

"These attacks are becoming more frequent and I urge the public to be aware of their surroundings when out in these areas.”

Authorities called the attack unprovoked. It was not immediately clear whether the bees were the more aggressive Africanized variety or native honeybees.

Watch: Couple Films Bed Bugs Crawling On Their Sheets in Manhattan Hotel