Video shows police rush in to save disabled man from swarm of bees
By: -----
Lyford, TX - New body camera footage shows the moment police rushed into a swarm of bees to save a disabled man’s life in Texas.
Lyford Police Chief Marcos Garcia and Officer Raymundo Sanchez responded to a home July 13 to rescue a man being attacked by a swarm of bees. The man can be seen on body camera on the ground near the road in front of a neighbor’s home.
Police say the man is disabled and couldn’t get away. A towel was draped over him as an effort to protect himself.
Video shows officers opening the door of their unit and putting the man inside, all while being swarmed by the bees and stung. Once the man is inside, another officer runs back to his patrol unit to grab a jacket for protection.
Police say the attack started when the man was doing yard work next to his home. A hive was found in an empty lot and has since been removed.
The man who was rescued was still in the hospital recovering as of last Friday, according to police. He was stung at least 30 times.
Garcia, who was stung 18 times, and Sanchez are OK, along with two other women who were also attacked that day.
Jimmy Lawrence, owner of Bee Guy RGV, says bees most often attack when they are defending their hive. Once a bee stings, it releases a pheromone that attracts even more bees to the same target, which is why attacks can escalate so quickly.
“Bees attack the nose, ears, mouth, eyes, vital points, and it has to do with carbon dioxide. When bees attack, they can smell the carbon dioxide that we exhale, especially when you’re frantically panting, and they know to attack that,” Lawrence said.
When a swarm attacks, Lawrence says the priority is to get inside a building or car and avoid water.
“Don’t go into a swimming pool because there’s an old saying that the bees will just hover around and wait for you. And it’s true. They’re flying around the area. You’re covered in attack pheromones because that’s how they know to get you. And as soon as you come up for air, they’re going to go and attack you anyways,” he said.
Experts warn against trying to remove a hive yourself and recommend always hiring a professional.