A man has been killed after he was attacked by a giant swarm of bees while he was suspended from a tree whilst at work.
Franco Galvan Martinez accidentally disturbed the hive as he worked at a home in Austin, Texas.
The 53-year-old who worked for a landscape and lighting company, was suspended by a harness when he accidentally upset the hive of bees and kicked away the ladder beneath him as he worked.
For over ten minutes he suffered an unbearable agony as the bees stung him over and over and his co-workers were unable to help as the bees attacked them too.
Joe Maldonado, a family friend, told local outlet KXAN : “I guess in a panic trying to swat away the bees from himself, he kicked away the ladder.
“The hive was so ginormous that it literally covered Franco instantly.”
Emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday and two firefighters were able to use their hoses to blast the bees away so they could get to the dad-of-two.
Maldonado described Franco as a “very joyful man”. He is survived by his wife, two children and his grandchildren.
In a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, his wife wrote: “I already miss you so much my beloved husband Franco Galvan Martinez you will always be in my heart. I know you are in a better place in heaven.”
Franco’s company confirmed that one of its workers had died.
City officials said that the incident had been assigned to the Austin Code Department who sent an inspector to the home.
Local media reported that the neighbours had been aware of the hive but no action had been taken to deal with it.
Professional beehive remover Mike Lopez told KXAN that in the event of a bee attack you have to keep moving and try to get indoors or into a vehicle.
He said "under no circumstances" to stop moving and added that after bees sting they release alarm pheromones that signals other bees to attack too.
He said: “Once you have one, then you’ll have two, then you’ll have 16. And it will keep on until you have thousands on you”.
