VICTIMS OF BEE ATTACK WERE HEADING TO REGISTER FOR ONE-OFF CASH GRANT.

A group of approximately 12 fishermen who were making their way to get registered for the Government's $150,000 one-off cash grant when they were attacked by Africanised bees at about 13:30 hours on Thursday at the No. 27 sluice.

Moments after the attack, 71-year-old Winston Rigby of No. 41 Village West Coast Berbice died while being transported to the Fort Wellington Hospital for medical treatment. Several other fishermen were also taken to the medical institution but were treated and sent away.

Survivor of the deadly bee attack, Leon Bobb of Belladrum Village West Coast Berbice related the crew had just finished fishing when they were informed that a team from the Ministry of Agriculture was registering fishermen for the Government's $150,000 relief grant for fishermen.

He said the crew left their vessels at the seashore and were on the way to the main access road when the deceased alerted them that he was stung by a bee. Bobb recalled that within seconds the entire crew was attacked and they managed to escape.

“Well he get the most sting and then the bee tackle we and then I hear he said like these bee gon kill people so when I hear that me said me ain't gon tek this here so I jump overboard and make my way over the other side of the trench” he added.

According to Bobb, when he looked back for the deceased, he was covered in bees. He said the deceased was picked up and taken to the public road where he along with the other fishermen were taken to the hospital.

This is not the first time some of the fishermen have encountered bees. According to deceased fisherman's brother William Rigby’s they were also attacked by bees on Mother’s day. This incident was reported to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council who had promised to dispatch a bee catcher to the area.

Winston Rigby has left to mourn four children and other relatives.