ALVIN, Texas, 6:29 p.m. CDT April 23, 2001 -- A 67-year-old woman was attacked by a swarm of bees at Froberg Vegetable and Fruit Farm Sunday afternoon.

The victim, Joann Froberg, was transported to Southeast Memorial Hospital with more than 500 bee stings.

Doctors said it's a miracle that she survived because the amount of venom in her body was the equivalent of being bitten by two rattlesnakes.

Froberg made a desperate call to 911 as the bees began to attack her.

"They have been biting me a long time," Froberg told the 911 operator.

"Are you allergic?" the operator asked.

"I don't know," Froberg answered. "I have never been stung this many times. They are all over me."

Alvin police officers who were called to the scene had to use fire extinguishers to fight off the bees.

Froberg's son, Alfred Froberg, said that her family is proud of the way she handled the situation.

"Everybody is proud for the way she took care of herself," Alfred Froberg said. "Everybody loves her."

Alfred Froberg said that the bees live on the farm and are used to pollinate fruits and vegetables.

He said that the bees are still riled up and that he is amazed at his mother's calm attitude and ability to get help.

"I don't understand," Alfred Froberg said. "If it had been me, I would have been swatting. She remained calm and everything."

Froberg is in guarded condition in the intensive care unit.

Police aren't sure why the bees became agitated, but they aren't ruling out the possibility that Africanized honey bees infilitrated the hive.

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