A tragic incident unfolded in Eastland, Texas, when a man was fatally attacked by a swarm of bees while mowing a lawn near an abandoned building in Friendship Park on April 27. The victim, identified as Stephen Daniel, inadvertently disturbed a hive, leading to the deadly assault by the insects.
In a desperate bid to escape, Daniel jumped into his truck, but the bees pursued him, continuing their attack inside the vehicle. The situation escalated when Daniel, overwhelmed by the bees, lost control of his truck and crashed into a neighboring property owned by Chrishae Cooper.
Cooper, who witnessed the incident, immediately dialed 911. She recounted seeing something swarming around Daniel’s truck before it veered off the road and onto her property. The police arrived on the scene to find Daniel still under attack by the bees.
The responding officers quickly evacuated Daniel from the area and placed him in a police vehicle to protect him from further stings. Despite their efforts, Daniel became unresponsive while waiting for an ambulance. Emergency medical personnel administered life-saving measures and rushed him to Eastland Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, Daniel succumbed to the effects of the bee stings.
The cause of death was reported as circulatory collapse, a condition that can occur as a result of severe allergic reactions, including those caused by bee stings. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by bees, wasps, and hornets. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these insects are responsible for an average of 72 fatalities in the United States each year.