SINGAPORE - A woman in her 30s was badly stung by a swarm of bees in a park at Ang Mo Kio on Monday (Feb 20) morning.

The incident occurred at Ang Mo Kio Garden West at about 8am, opposite Ang Mo Kio Public Library.

Eyewitness Cai Shanshan, a 34-year-old tuition teacher, told Shin Min Daily News in a report on Monday that she saw the woman, dressed in a sleeveless top and shorts, crouching on the floor.

"Both her legs were stretched out, she used her hands to cover her face, and her whole body was convulsing," said Ms Cai.

She added that the woman's arms and legs were swollen and red.

Ms Cai said there were about 10 bystanders at the area, but they were unable to help.

An ambulance soon arrived and a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer who was covered in protective gear rescued the woman.

She was attacked by the swarm of bees for about 10 minutes, said Ms Cai.

SCDF told The Straits Times on Friday that it was alerted to an incident at 8.25am.

A woman in her 30s was taken conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

When Shin Min visited the site, the police had cordoned off an area about the size of a basketball court, where the swarm was located.

The insects gathered along the branches, about 7m or 8m off the ground, close to where pedestrians walked.

The police later broadened the cordon to half the size of a soccer field.

A spokesman for the National Parks Board (NParks) told The Straits Times on Tuesday (Feb 21) that it was alerted on Monday and dispatched its contractors immediately.

"Assistance was rendered onsite to the affected park visitors," said the spokesman. "The swarm was cleared within the day."

The spokesman advised the public to keep a safe distance from hives and bee swarms.

To report sightings of bee hives, contact NPark's helpline at 1800-471-7300.

Here is what to do if you are attacked by bees:

- Cover your face and run as fast and as far away as you can.

- Run against the wind, as the resistance makes it harder for bees, which do not fly very fast, to keep up.

- Run until you get to shelter, as most bees are disoriented by lights and changes in temperature.

- Do not swat at the bees, flail your arms or jump into water, as the bees will wait for you to surface.