75-year-old grandfather killed by swarm of bees while working on Texas ranch

A 75-year-old Texas grandfather was killed by a swarm of bees while he was working on his ranch, officials said. Bryce Smith was on his bulldozer clearing trees on his property in Bedias — about 90 miles north of Houston — when he took down one with a bee hive, KTBX reported. Smith suffered more

A 75-year-old Texas grandfather was killed by a swarm of bees while he was working on his ranch, officials said.

Bryce Smith was on his bulldozer clearing trees on his property in Bedias — about 90 miles north of Houston — when he took down one with a bee hive, KTBX reported.

Smith suffered more than 60 stings on his face and neck. An employee working with Smith who witnessed the attack rushed him inside and called 911.

He died from his injuries by the time responders arrived.

“The Bedias community lost a very very good individual yesterday, a very good man. He was a wonderful husband, great dad, great grandfather to his kids. He was very well respected,” Grimes County Justice of the Peace Judge Chris Acord said.

Bryce Smith suffered more than 60 bee stings while taking down trees on his Texas ranch. WAGM 8
Experts believe the bees maybe have been African honey bees. WAGM 8

“The severity of what happened and how this could happen to anybody and we don’t think about these things,” said Acord.

Texas A&M AgriLife research honeybee scientist, Juliana Rangel, told KTBX that Smith was likely killed by Africanized honey bees — which can be aggressive when frightened.

“Africanized bees are a little bit more prone to feeling threatened by any external stimuli than more often than not, European bees,” said Rangel.

Rangel urged people to contact experts to remove any hives found on your property rather than try to do it themselves.

Smith was dead by the time EMS arrived at the ranch. WAGM 8

“You better call a professional beekeeper that knows how to deal with live bee removals so we always recommend trying that route first, which is to call a professional beekeeper that can remove the bees live,” said Rangel.

The Texas Apiary Inspection Service says those under attack by bees should attempt to cover their heads and faces and run to a safe place before calling 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 his community will always be remembered by those whose lives he touched,” his family wrote.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Labour says Tory law against ‘cancel culture’ at woke universities could be axed because it is a ‘burden’
Read More

Labour says Tory law against ‘cancel culture’ at woke universities could be axed because it is a ‘burden’

The Tories' law against woke 'cancel culture' at universities could be axed, it was revealed today. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced she is considering repealing the legislation designed to protect freedom of speech.  The measures introduced last year allow for fines for universities that fail to guarantee rights on campus for students, staff and visiting
Rachel Morin’s mom calls out Biden admin on border as Kamala Harris kicks off campaign: ‘Going to get worse’
Read More

Rachel Morin’s mom calls out Biden admin on border as Kamala Harris kicks off campaign: ‘Going to get worse’

close Video Rachel Morin's mother calls out Kamala Harris for not taking action on the southern border Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin, speaks out on border policies under the Biden-Harris administration after her daughter was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant in 2023. The mother of Maryland mom Rachel Morin, who was brutally
Kenya to extradite US murder suspect: prosecutors
Read More

Kenya to extradite US murder suspect: prosecutors

Kenyan prosecutors said Wednesday they have secured a court order to extradite a man accused of murdering his girlfriend in the United States in a case that made headlines after he escaped police custody in Nairobi. Kevin Kang’ethe was the subject of a three-month international manhunt after he fled the United States for his native