Mom of two couldn’t breathe after a reaction to a beetle at a historic site — a lucky coincidence nearby saved her life
People are often captivated by the beauty and excitement of exploring new places during trips or visits to historic sites. However, such experiences must be handled with caution. A mom, Antoinette Webb, is safe from danger after suffering an allergic reaction from a beetle while exploring. She was visiting the Fort Knox Historic Site with her children when she noticed a strikingly beautiful beetle and decided to pick it up, as reported by WABI TV on May 8, 2026. However, the situation quickly took a dangerous turn when she appeared to suffer an allergic reaction and started struggling for breath. Just when the incident was becoming critical, an unexpected stroke of luck at a nearby shop likely ended up saving her life.
Webb recalled spotting a “berry green beautiful beetle” and picking it up simply to admire it, saying, “Whoa, you’re so pretty.” However, seconds later, she felt a burning sensation spread through her body. Realizing she needed help quickly, she rushed into a nearby gift shop where she encountered Dean Martin, the executive director of Friends of Fort Knox. Martin, who had previously spent 24 years serving as an Army medic, immediately jumped into action to assist the woman, who by then had begun struggling to breathe due to “constricted airway." He administered the best treatment he had available at the time to help ease the situation. “We gave her Benadryl. That’s the best we had, and then, we waited for the ambulance crews,” he said.
Despite having more than two decades of medical experience, Martin had never encountered a situation quite like the one the mother of two experienced after coming into contact with the insect. “She’s lying there, and I’m holding her hand and talking to 911. She passes out because of a constricted airway. She’s got a lack of air. She’s got blue lips,” he explained the initial scenario. Meanwhile, his wife, Sherry, stayed with the kids, and another staff member, Alex, helped him. Although Webb only remembered fragments of what happened during the ordeal, she believed Martin played a crucial role in saving her life, as the Benadryl he gave her likely bought enough time before she eventually required four epinephrine shots.
According to an article by Yuma Fukutomi published on ScienceDirect, insects are considered a major source of allergens for humans, with numerous reports linking insect particles to occupational respiratory allergies. Had it not been for the immediate medication provided by the retired army medic, the twins, Ella and Jonah, might have found their mother in a much more serious condition. “I was just bawling. Because of you, they have their mom today,” she said. Martin credited his wife and the staff members for their quick assistance during the emergency, and the ambulance crew for their swift response. He added that his astute act was not heroic; it was only human. “If the roles were reversed, I’m sure Antoinette would’ve done the same for me,” he said. No matter how much Martin denied being called a hero, Webb will always regard him as a superhero who happened to be at the right place at the right time to save her life.