BREAKING: Retired nurse killed by swarm of bees as she collected honey pictured

The woman killed by a swarm of bees as she collected honey has been name as a 'lovely' retired nurse.

Kathleen Devine, who was in her seventies, suffered a fatal reaction to the stings during an incident in Co. Mayo, Ireland, on Monday night. The former medical professional and her husband Des, both avid beekeepers, were helping friends to harvest honey from their hives near their home in Ballycastle.

But the insects attacked the couple, and she was stung by two bees. After sustaining multiple stings, she fell seriously ill and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter was sent to the scene to provide aid.

READ MORE: Chilling final messages of mother who told her family she was going on holiday

READ MORE: Major police update as 70 migrants killed in Canary Islands ‘sea murders’

She received immediate care at the scene before being airlifted to Sligo University Hospital for further treatment, but she could not be saved and was later pronounced dead.

One source revealed that the tragic incident occurred as Mr and Mrs Devine were extracting honey from a hive for a friend, the Irish Mirror report. He said: "They were helping good friends take off the honey at the end of the season. Poor Mrs Devine got stung and she had an allergic reaction.

"It was very unfortunate. It was not a swarm of bees, it was a hive. This time of the year the bees are protective of their honey. Bees are wild animals, they can't be controlled. I think she was wearing protective clothing and the bees somehow got in the suit."

This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.