HEBBRONVILLE, Texas, April 20 (UPI) -- An attack by bees killed an elderly couple and injured their son at a ranch outside Hebbronville in southern Texas, police said.
William "W.T." Steele, 90, his wife Myrtle, 92, and son Richard, 67, were cleaning a small house they owned on the ranch when the attack took place, the Valley Morning Star of Harlingen, Texas, reported.
Daughter-in-law Judy Steele told the Star William Steele was spraying to kill bees that had built a hive in the fireplace when they swarmed and attacked.
William Steele was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, who was stung more than 300 times, was airlifted to a hospital in Corpus Christi where she died Tuesday.
Son Richard Steele was treated for bee stings to the head and face.
It took sheriff's deputies more than 20 minutes to reach the victims when they arrived at the ranch because they didn't have protective bee suits.
