HoneyBeeAwareness.org - Save the Right Bees - Education, Research, Public Safety
Incident Record

Okeechobee County man died after likely Africanized honey bee attack

Robert E. Davis, 51, died after being stung more than 100 times by bees state officials described as likely/high-probability Africanized honey bees.

Record ID: FL-OKEE-2008-0411
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 4/9/2008
Location Okeechobee/Prairie area, FL, Okeechobee County, FL
State FL
Record Type Attack / Stinging Incident
Trigger / Activity Construction / Equipment / Structural Work
Severity Human Fatality
Bee ID Status Reported Africanized
Aggression Classification Human Fatality

Incident Summary

Robert E. Davis, 51, died after being stung more than 100 times by bees state officials described as likely/high-probability Africanized honey bees.

Public-Safety Lesson

Abandoned structures, trailers, and remote work sites can conceal dangerous colonies. Workers should inspect before vibration or structural work.

Impact Flags

Human Fatality Yes
Human Hospitalized Yes
Animal Fatality No
Responder Involved EMS involved

Source Information

Source: JEMS

Source Strength: B - Established News / Officials Quoted