TX Firefighters Save Woman in Fatal Bee Attack

Texas firefighters braved a "very aggressive" bee swarm to save a woman following a fatal attack Monday.

Breckenridge crews responded to a call concerning a bee attack at a home Monday afternoon, the department stated in an online update. When they reached the scene, firefighters, AMR medics and Stephens County sheriff's deputies encountered "very aggressive bee activity," and dispatchers said one person who was severely stung had gone into cardiac arrest.

Firefighters and medics waded through the swarm to begin treating the stung patient inside the house. Despite their efforts, "multiple issues turned this into a tragedy," and the patient did not survive.

Breckenridge Fire Department was dispatched to a Bee attack this afternoon on Water District road 214. Stephens County...

Posted by Breckenridge Fire Department on Monday, April 26, 2021

A second individual also was in the home, and a firefighter removed PPE and dressed the woman in the gear to lead her through the swarm. She was put in the fire chief's vehicle and removed from the scene before being taken to the hospital.

Once both patients were removed from the scene, deputies and firefighters went door to door to tell residents not to use outside noise-making equipment until bees could be returned to their hive and calmed.

A beekeeper with special equipment was called in, and he and a firefighter located the hive. They then successfully removed the hive with hand tools and foam.

"First responders were faced with the daunting task of patient care and treatment during the attack and remained professional through the event," the fire department stated.