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Incident Record

Homeowner Mr. Hill critical after 1,000+ bee stings while operating tractor near Rio Hondo

A Rio Hondo homeowner was found on the ground semi-conscious after receiving more than 1,000 bee stings while operating a tractor; his wife sprayed the bees with a hose until police arrived. He was still recovering in San Antonio at time of report. Officials could not locate the hive despite searching the property.

Record ID: TX-CAMERON-2019-04XX
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This record is part of a first-pass incident research dataset. Records, categories, and source notes may be updated as additional information is reviewed and verified.
Date19-Apr
Location20000 block Reynolds St., Rio Hondo, TX, Cameron, TX, United States
CountryUnited States
State / ProvinceTX
Record TypeAttack / Stinging Incident
Trigger / ActivityFarm / Ranch / Field Work
SeverityHospitalized - Critical
Bee ID StatusConfirmed Africanized (per city officials)
Aggression ClassificationSevere defensive attack
Source Language

Incident Summary

A Rio Hondo homeowner was found on the ground semi-conscious after receiving more than 1,000 bee stings while operating a tractor; his wife sprayed the bees with a hose until police arrived. He was still recovering in San Antonio at time of report. Officials could not locate the hive despite searching the property.

Public-Safety Lesson

Distinct from the existing 2015 Rio Hondo tractor/irrigation-pipe fatality (different victim, outcome, and no pipe mentioned) and from a separate Sept. 2022 Rio Hondo mower fatality - a third documented Rio Hondo case.

Impact Flags

Human FatalityNo
Human HospitalizedYes
Animal FatalityNo
Responder InvolvedYes - Rio Hondo Police (Public Safety Director Bilokury)

Source Information

Source: ValleyCentral / KGBT

Source Strength: B - Established Local News (ValleyCentral/KGBT)