Landscape worker dies in west Austin bee attack

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A panorama lighting technician died after he was swarmed by bees at a west Austin residence on Thursday, in response to a household spokesperson.

Austin-Travis County EMS mentioned first responders have been dispatched to a house within the 2100 block of Meadowbrook Drive round 5 p.m.

A household spokesperson mentioned Franco Galvan Martinez, 53, was in a yard tree, suspended by a harness, when he inadvertently disturbed a hive and the bees swarmed.

“I assume in [a] panic attempting to swat away the bees from himself, he kicked away the ladder,” mentioned Joe Maldonado, a household buddy and pastor.

Galvan Martinez remained suspended within the air by the harness because the bugs attacked.

“The hive was so ginormous that it actually lined Franco immediately,” he informed KXAN.

A neighbor who didn’t want to be recognized mentioned they heard Galvan Martinez’s screams for assist, including he seemed to be lined in 1000’s of bees.

Two of his co-workers under tried to assist however have been additionally stung, they mentioned.

“They have been very distraught,” the neighbor informed KXAN. “It was horrible.”

“For over 10 minutes, all they might do was endure listening to [Galvan Martinez’s] anguish,” Maldonado mentioned.

In keeping with witnesses, firefighters used their hose to blast the bees away and attain the person.

Maldonado mentioned Galvan Martinez lived in Seguin and was a married father of two with grandchildren.

“He was a really joyful man,” he mentioned, including that an post-mortem will decide the precise explanation for dying.

Household mentioned Galvan Martinez was working for Invoice Biggadike & Associates, a New Braunfels-based panorama and lighting enterprise. The corporate confirmed Friday considered one of its employees died however had no different rapid remark.

A neighbor informed KXAN residents have been conscious of a beehive within the tree for a while however by no means skilled any points.

The Austin Code Division mentioned the case was assigned to an inspector following a name on Friday. A neighbor mentioned an inspector visited the house and took photographs that afternoon.

The division mentioned there aren’t any prior code complaints on the tackle.

The proprietor of the house declined remark when KXAN visited Friday night.

Austin Code mentioned metropolis ordinance regulates the upkeep and administration of bee colonies inside metropolis limits. Nevertheless, the ordinance doesn’t apply to wild colonies in tree hollows or stumps.

The division mentioned town doesn’t present providers for the elimination, relocation, or eradication of bees attributable to state rules.

Skilled beehive remover Mike Lopez mentioned those that encounter hives on their property ought to depart them alone and name knowledgeable.

Within the case of an assault, Lopez mentioned the perfect recommendation is to maintain transferring and search shelter indoors or in a automobile.

“Not at all do you cease transferring,” Lopez mentioned, including that bees are drawn to the carbon dioxide emitted as people exhale, making an individual’s mouth and nostril particularly susceptible.

Lopez mentioned bees additionally launch alarm pheromones after stinging an individual or animal, signaling different bees to hitch the assault.

“Upon getting one, you then’ll have two, you then’ll have 16,” he mentioned. “And it’ll carry on till you could have 1000’s on you.”

Editor’s notice: This story has been up to date to incorporate new reporting and to make clear the situation of the neighborhood.