Aggressive swarm of bees attack and kill man
(Breckenridge Fire Department)
BRECKENRIDGE, Texas - A Texas man died after going into cardiac arrest when he was attacked by an aggressive swarm of bees outside his home, authorities said.
Thomas Hicks, 70, was mowing his lawn Monday when he was repeatedly stung by the bees outside his home in Breckenridge, about 130 miles west of Dallas, authorities said.
The Breckenridge Fire Department said first responders faced "very aggressive bee activity" when they arrived at the home.
POLICE ARREST MAN AFTER FINDING SEVERED FINGER AT CRIME SCENE
Medics and firefighters attempted emergency care but Hicks died, the fire department said.
Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!
Hicks' wife, Zoni Hicks, told KTAB that she had been out grocery shopping when she returned to find her husband screaming and covered in bees.
"You couldn’t even see his back and his whole head — he was just covered," she said.
Zoni Hicks was also stung repeatedly.
Sign up for FOX 5 email newsletters
One of the firefighters in the house removed their protective gear and dressed her in the gear and the other firefighter led her outside to the Fire Chief’s truck and she was taken from the scene. She was treated and released from a hospital.
Sheriff's deputies and firefighters went door to door and advised people not to use outside noise-making equipment until bees could hive back up and calm down.
A local beekeeper offered his specialized equipment to assist with locating the hive and remediating it. They were successful in locating and removing the hive with hand tools and foam.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
MAN BITTEN BY RATTLESNAKE AFTER TRYING TO PICK IT UP WITH TONGS