A 75-year-old Texas grandfather was killed by a swarm of bees while working on his ranch, authorities said.
Bryce Smith was using a bulldozer to cut down trees on the Bedias property, about 90 miles north of Houston, when he downed one containing a beehive. KTBX reported.
Smith suffered more than 60 stab wounds to his face and neck. An employee who worked with Smith witnessed the attack and rushed him into the house, where he called 911.
He died from his injuries by the time rescuers arrived.
“The Bedias community lost a very fine person, a very fine man yesterday. He was a great husband, a great father and a great grandfather to his children. He was very well respected,” Grimes County Magistrate Judge Chris Acord said.
“We don’t think about the gravity of what happened and that this could happen to anyone,” Acord said.
Texas A&M AgriLife honeybee researcher Juliana Rangel told KTBX that Smith was likely killed by Africanized honeybees, which become aggressive when frightened.
“Africanized honeybees tend to be more vulnerable to threats than European honeybees,” Rangel says.
Rangel urged people who find a beehive on their property to call a professional to remove it rather than trying to remove it themselves.
“You’re better off calling a professional beekeeper who knows how to get rid of live bees, so we always recommend trying that approach first, which is calling a professional beekeeper who can get rid of live bees,” Rangel said.
The Texas Beekeeping Inspection Service says anyone attacked by bees should cover their head and face, get to a safe location and then call 911 for help.
Bryce leaves behind his wife, three children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. According to his obituary.
“His love for his family and community will forever remain in the hearts of all who came into contact with him,” his family wrote.
