Disabled man killed by massive bee attack

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Valley Morning Star reports that when firefighters got there, they found a man covered in bees.

“They were on him head to toe,” said Elias Saldivar, the Alton fire chief. His firefighters pulled the man away, suffering stings on their faces as they fought off attacks.

“The coat and pants only cover so much,” the chief said of his firefighters’ protective clothing.

Rescuers somehow separated the 57-year-old Paul Lee Campton from the bees, but it was too late.

Campton was a disabled man who used a walker to get around. He died Thursday at Mission Regional Medical Center after being stung more than 1,000 times.


Lester Campton had escaped to a neighbor’s house and called for help. Soon after, firefighters arrived on the scene to find a thick, dark cloud of bees attacking the men.

Even while paramedics took Paul Lee Campton to the hospital, the bees followed, continuing to sting emergency workers. None of the rescuers sustained serious injuries however.

Paul Campton died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday at the hospital. His brother Lester was not hurt very seriously.


Later, Pest control workers destroyed the majority of the bees, and they now say there is no danger.

Interestingly, the Alton Fire Department has responded to about five less serious attacks so far this year. It seems that these incidents may be happening more often. Larger cities in the Rio Grande Valley have also responded to similar calls.

Alton, at least is taking some steps to deal with such calls. They have ordered new, sting-proof clothing, and McAllen equips rescue workers with bee suits to shield them from stings.

The bees do seem more aggravated lately. It may be the strange weather cycle. Whatever the case, these days it pays to stay far away. Better safe then dead!