Incident Record
Golf course groundskeeper died after bee swarm attack while mowing
Rick Messina, 57, was attacked by a swarm while mowing near the 8th hole; he was hospitalized and died June 27 from complications of bee stings.
Record ID: AZ-PIMA-2024-0624
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.
Date
6/24/2024
Location
Oro Valley, AZ, Pima County, AZ
State
AZ
Record Type
Attack / Stinging Incident
Trigger / Activity
Mowing / Yard Work
Severity
Human Fatality
Bee ID Status
Unknown / Not Stated
Aggression Classification
Human Fatality
Incident Summary
Rick Messina, 57, was attacked by a swarm while mowing near the 8th hole; he was hospitalized and died June 27 from complications of bee stings.
Public-Safety Lesson
Mowing/groundskeeping near public recreation areas is a major safety category; traveling swarms may still create fatal risk.
Impact Flags
Human Fatality
Yes
Human Hospitalized
Yes
Animal Fatality
No
Responder Involved
Yes
Source Information
Source: CBS News / Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf / FOX Weather
Source Strength: B - Established News / Officials Quoted