After a commercial truck carrying 250 million bees crashed in northern Washington, releasing the bees on first responders, emergency officials have been busy cleaning up.
According to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the truck flipped on Weidkamp Road at approximately 4 a.m. on Friday close to Lynden, which is located just south of the Canadian border.
Deputies, public works officials, and a number of bee specialists were dispatched in large numbers to the area.
According to deputies, all of the bees were released when the 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives that were on board were removed from the truck at around nine in the morning.
“250 million bees are now loose,” Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputies stated on Facebook. “AVOID THE AREA due to the potential of bee escape and swarming.”
The incredible sight of millions of bees swarming over the debris was captured in a scene photo.
“Master beekeepers are on scene, and others are on the way, to assist in re-setting the box hives,” deputies stated. “The plan is to allow the bees to re-hive and find their queen bee. That should occur within the next 24-48 hours. The goal is to save as many of the bees as possible.”
Authorities advised residents to keep at least 200 yards away from the scene of the collision, and the route was predicted to be closed for up to two days.
“While there is no general health risk to the public, anyone who is allergic to bee stings or has concerns should check the State Department of Health webpage on bees and wasps,” deputies stated.
The cause of the crash has not been disclosed. Crews had made headway in clearing up the debris by late afternoon.
“Thank you to the wonderful community of beekeepers: over two dozen showed up to help ensure the rescue of millions of pollinating honey bees would be as successful as possible,” deputies stated. “Hive boxes from the overturned truck were recovered, restored and returned to use. By morning, most bees should have returned to their hives.”
Western Washington has previously seen a similar bee disaster. When a truck carrying about 40 million bees crashed on Interstate 5 in the northern Seattle suburbs in 2015, motorists and emergency personnel were confronted by a frenzied cloud of irate bees.
