Great-grandmother saved after hornet sting at husband's grave

A great-grandmother has praised nurses for saving her life after she was stung by a giant hornet.

Irene Elliott from Sittingbourne, was at her late husband’s grave in June when she felt something sting the back of her neck. The 69-year-old had been stung by a hornet and went into anaphylactic shock.

Her partner Tony drove her home but she fell unconscious during the journey. He took her to the Minor Injury Unit at Sittingbourne’s Memorial Hospital.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop rapidly. It is also known as anaphylactic shock.

Irene was given a shot of adrenalin to stabilise her before being flown by air ambulance to Medway Maritime Hospital.