A man who was in a critical condition after being stung by up to 100 bees in northern Hawke's Bay is now stable.
The 43-year-old had stopped to check on bees he was transporting in Putorino on Friday when the queen bee flew down the back of his shirt and between 50 and 100 other bees followed.
The man was helped by a passing truck driver before being airlifted to Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital.
