Lonnie Dorsey, 72, of North Richland Hills, has died in the ICU following a severe bee attack while doing yard work outside his home. Dorsey was hospitalized for two weeks after being swarmed by bees on September 24, 2024.
Emergency responders from North Richland Hills Police and Fire were dispatched to the 8000 block of Cross Drive at 12:09 PM after receiving reports that two individuals had been attacked by bees. Dorsey's partner, Patricia Byrns, 74, discovered him lying on the ground, covered in bees. Dorsey, who had a known allergy to bee stings, was in critical condition.
Byrns attempted to assist Dorsey during the attack and was also stung in the process. A neighbor quickly called 911, and Dorsey was rushed to the hospital, where he remained in the ICU until his death on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Following the incident, beekeepers relocated the hive from a hollowed-out tree on the property. Bee removal experts reported that the swarm was made up of typical honey bees, which are generally not as aggressive as Africanized bees.
