A tragic incident occurred at Pusch Ridge Course in Oro Valley, Arizona, where a golf course employee lost his life after being attacked by a swarm of bees near hole 8.
The victim, Rick Messina, a member of the agronomy team at El Conquistador Golf, was stung while mowing the area, as reported by the golf course to USA Today. Despite being rushed to a local hospital immediately after the incident on June 24, Messina succumbed to the bee stings three days later on June 27.
Following the attack, beekeepers thoroughly inspected all 45 holes on the property but found no hives or bee activity, giving the property a clean bill of health.
El Conquistador Golf stated to USA Today that it appeared Rick was attacked by a transient swarm of bees.
Remembering a Valued Employee
Rick Messina, a 57-year-old dedicated member of the El Conquistador Golf agronomy team since July 2022, was highly regarded within the company. El Conquistador Golf expressed their sorrow over his passing, attributing his death to complications from the bee stings.
The company shared the news with golf club members, describing the event as a tragic workplace accident. They highlighted Rick’s exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and unwavering commitment to his responsibilities. Support resources have been made available to both Rick’s family and the team to navigate through this difficult time.
Bee Incidents in Arizona
The summer season in Arizona marks the peak period for bee swarms, according to local experts. Notably, bees made headlines earlier this year when they caused a delay during an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game in late April.
Confronted with unbudging bees gathering behind home plate during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team opted to hire an exterminator to deal with the situation promptly to avoid any potential danger to spectators.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that between 2011 and 2021, there were 788 deaths attributed to hornet, wasp, and bee stings, with an average of 72 deaths annually. It is crucial to remain calm and retreat when faced with swarming bees to ensure safety.
Safety Precautions
When encountering a swarm of bees, it is advised to maintain composure and slowly move away from the area if bees interact aggressively. Avoid wearing dark, loose clothing or shiny objects, as well as refraining from using strong scents or making jerky movements near beehives. Additionally, swatting at bees should be avoided at all costs to prevent provocation.
Contributing: Nick Piecoro, Kye Graves; Arizona Republic
Saleen Martin is a dedicated reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team, hailing from Norfolk, Virginia. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or reach out via email at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
