Army vet survives rare beetle allergy at Maine fort

' Within seconds of picking it up, she felt a burning sensation spreading through her body. The insect was reportedly a six-spotted tiger beetle, a species not widely known to cause severe allergic reactions. ' It remains unclear what specific toxin or allergen triggered the response, and whether the beetle was confirmed by an entomologist.

Webb's prior allergy history is also unknown. She immediately climbed a hill to the fort's gift shop seeking help. Dean Martin, executive director of the nonprofit Friends of Fort Knox and a former Army medic, was on site.

He described her symptoms as unlike anything he had ever seen. Webb's airway constricted, her lips turned blue, and she lost consciousness, stopping breathing. Martin held her hand while speaking with 911 and was prepared to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

He, along with his wife Sherry and a staff member named Alex, provided initial care and administered Benadryl until paramedics arrived. Martin also drove Webb's car to the hospital while she received treatment. At the hospital, Webb was given four epinephrine shots.

She had lost her eyesight and had no memory from the time she was bitten until waking up in the hospital. The exact timeline from the bite to hospital arrival has not been disclosed. About 24 hours later, Webb returned to Fort Knox with her children for an emotional reunion with the staff.

According to multiple reports, she tearfully told Martin that because of him, her children still have their mom today. Webb credited the staff's military training and quick response for her survival. Martin insisted he was not a hero.

There are no known previous documented cases of severe allergic reactions to this beetle species. The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness at public sites and the unpredictable nature of insect allergies.