A Texas man was mowing his property when a swarm of bees attacked. He died soon after.
A Texas man was mowing his property when a swarm of bees attacked. He died soon after. Steven William Daniel died after he was swarmed by bees while mowing his property in Eastland. On average, about 72 people died from hornet, wasp and bee stings each year between 2011 and 2021.
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Warmer temperatures could put western honey bees at risk
Warmer temperatures could put western honey bees at risk of collapse. Researchers at Washington State University and the Department of Agriculture point to warmer autumns and winters causing big problems.
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A Texas man has died after being attacked by a swarm of bees.
Steven William Daniel of Cisco died on April 27 in Eastland, Texas, about 130 miles southwest of Dallas, according to an incident report obtained by USA TODAY on Monday.
Eastland Police Department officers responding to a call about a crashed vehicle found Daniel swarmed by the bees, the agency said in a news release. Officers took Daniel out of his truck and put him in a police car until an ambulance could arrive and take him to a hospital. During the ambulance ride, Daniel stopped breathing and became unresponsive, the department said.
Although Daniel, 66, was not allergic to bees, he died later that evening of circulator collapse from the bee stings, according to the incident report. Circulatory collapse, or circulatory shock, occurs when the body's circulation system is compromised, resulting in inadequate blood flow to the body's vital organs.
Cyd Daniel, Daniel's wife, told Texas television station KTAB/KRBC that her husband had been mowing a property they owned in Eastland when he encountered the bees. Over the seven years the couple owned the property, he had never had an issue with bees, Cyd said.
Bee swarm: Bees attack and kill 3 horses in Texas: 'They didn't give up'
Cyd described her late husband to KTAB/KRBC as funny and quiet, someone who believe in safety first.
"I believe this happened for a reason, and I think it's to warn the rest of us," Cyd told the local television station. "And if it helps one person or one kid or people at a birthday party, then he helped. He made a difference."
Cyd did not immediately respond when contacted by USA TODAY on May 19.
More bees attack in region
Another fatal bee attack in region happened less than two weeks after Daniel's death.
On May 9, a swarm of what are believed to be Africanized honey bees, also known as killer bees, attacked and killed three horses in Comanche, Texas, just about 50 miles southeast of Eastland.
That attack involved millions of bees that also attacked the owner of the horses.
"They attacked me as soon as I got outside," Baillie Hillman told USA TODAY. "They were in my ears, my glasses, my hair." She escaped and got back inside.
It's unclear what kind of bees attacked Daniel.
How many people die from bee stings each year?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 72 people died from hornet, wasp and bee stings each year between 2011 and 2021.
Keeping safe around bees this spring
Spring is a busy time for bees. They're emerging to forage, reproduce and sometimes, look for a new home, Texas Beeworks founder Erika Thompson told USA TODAY. If you encounter bees this spring, the best thing to do is stay calm. Avoid sudden movements, swatting and loud noises because bees are sensitive to vibrations, Thompson said.
Thompson said if you are stung by a bee, remove the stinger as soon as possible because it can continue to release venom even after the sting.
Regularly inspect your property for gaps, cracks or open vents − areas that bees can squeeze into, Thompson said. Seal any unwanted openings with fine mesh, caulk or weather stripping. If you find a hive in an unwanted area on your property, contact a local beekeeper or bee removal specialist for ethical relocation. Don't try to handle the hive on your own.
Maintenance: Here's how to get rid of bees around your home
Contributing: Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
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