Eastland woman speaking out after husband was killed by swarming bees

EASTLAND, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – When Cyd Daniel woke up on Sunday, April 27, she had no idea she would receive a life-altering phone call before the day was through. Her husband, 66-year-old Steve Daniel from Cisco, was killed in a bee attack while mowing on one of the properties they owned in Eastland.

The hive was located inside a building they had owned for about seven years. Daniel said Steve had mowed and cared for the land all of those years without any issues or run-ins with bees. The danger, she says, came from their not knowing the proper precautions to take to prevent such an attack.

“He was a funny guy, but he was real quiet. He was a hard worker, but he believed in safety first. And if we could have that go on through this world, the safety and the education, then he was right where he was supposed to be. I believe this happened for a reason, and I think it’s to warn the rest of us. And if it helps one person or one kid or people at a birthday party, then he helped. He made a difference,” said Daniel.

Daniel mentioned that her husband had gone out to mow the property around 4:30 p.m. About an hour later, she received a call from the authorities informing her that Steve had been stung multiple times and that she needed to go to the hospital.

“I was just thinking he had been stung 20 or 25 times and that he needed me to drive him home. When I got there, the doctor told me that he had passed because there were just too many bee stings… It was pure shock. It just felt like they were telling me a story, but I had tunnel vision somewhere else. All I wanted to do was see him. I had to see him, but he was gone,” Daniel said.

Her husband was mowing the property when a swarm of bees suddenly descended upon him. She says authorities informed her that there were approximately 20,000 to 30,000 bees in the entire hive. When she asked how many times he had been stung, Daniel reported that officials stopped counting after he had been stung over 200 times.

Due to the sudden nature of the attack, Daniel says she has taken up a mission to educate others on the proper precautions and procedure for having hives removed before attacks occur, as well as what to do if one finds themselves in a swarm.

Daniel has taken it upon herself to educate others about the proper precautions and procedures for having hives removed before an attack occurs. She also aims to inform people about what to do if they find themselves in a swarm, following the sudden nature of a recent incident.

“It’s the part of us not knowing that gets us in trouble with them… If we can make people more aware of their surroundings, then I think Steve did his job that day,” said Daniel.

KTAB/KRBC spoke with Crissy Ward, an Abilene Beekeeper and hive removal professional at Sadie Grace Farms. Ward says springtime, between the months of April and June, is also known as ‘swarm season’. This is a time in which bees may be more active due to the high temperatures and blooming plant life, which could potentially make them more prone to be out and defending their hive if a threat is perceived.

“As everything is blooming, as everything is growing, the hives are growing. And when they run out of space, they will throw off a swarm. So they’ll split themselves, and half of the hive will leave, while half of the hive will stay because they’ve run out of room,” Ward explained.

It’s important to stay alert around your property and the outdoor areas you frequent. Before doing activities like mowing or hiking, take a moment to check for signs of bees in the area. If you notice anything that suggests a hive might be nearby, consider reaching out to a local professional for help with removal before you start your activities. This way, you can avoid disturbing the bees, which might cause them to swarm.

“Watch for that flight activity. If you see bees going in and out, kind of making somewhat of a figure-eight pattern from any hole or space around your house and your property, that’s a pretty good indication you have a beehive,” said Ward.

If you find yourself in a swarm or believe one is approaching, Ward recommends the following actions:

• Remain as calm as possible. Quick movement and aggressive actions like swatting can communicate danger to the bees, leading, in most cases, to an escalation of the swarm.
• Walk quickly in a straight line to the nearest enclosed car or building to separate yourself from the bees.
• Do not swat, as this can rile up the bees. Extend your arms out to the sides so that any bees drawn in by the motion will be less likely to sting around your face or other vital body parts.
• Use a water hose if bees are attacking people or animals, and you can safely get to the hose. Soapy water, especially, can deter the bees and dispel the swarm so that you can escape. However, if a swarm is simply in the area without stinging or harming anyone, it is best to leave them alone and remove yourself from the area. Provoking a previously docile swarm could cause the bees to become defensive.

Daniel is heartbroken by her husband’s sudden death, but she takes pride in the life they built together. She believes that sharing her story can help educate others about bee attacks and prevent similar tragedies. Daniel is determined to raise awareness to save lives and will do everything she can to achieve that.