(June 12, 2008)—Waco firefighters used a stream of foam and water from a high-pressure hose to rescue a man who was attacked by a swarm of bees Thursday morning as he mowed an overgrown lot.
The man, whose name was not immediately released, evidently struck a hive as he used a tractor to and shredder to mow the lot, at the intersection of Highway 6 and West Waco Drive near the Foxworth-Galbraith Building Materials Center.
As the bees attacked, Connie Joe Allen jumped off the tractor and attempted to escape, but got only about 30 feet before the bees covered him.
He collapsed, covered with bees.
Two Foxworth-Galbraith workers saw him, but because of the bees could not reach him.
When emergency crews arrived, the man was lying on his back with a ball cap on his face, covered with thousands of bees, a witness said.
Despite the attack, the man was conscious and talking and was able, with assistance, to rise to his feet and walk to a nearby ambulance as a firefighter directed a stream of water and foam on him and other firefighters.
He was taken to Providence Health Center in Waco.
Information about his condition was not immediately available.