A tractor-trailer carrying honey bees crashed on Friday in Whatcom County, Washington, releasing approximately 250 million of the tiny pollinators.
The truck was hauling over 70,000 pounds of pollinator hives when it rolled over around 4:00 a.m., CBS News reported.
“The hives came off the truck shortly after 9 a.m., which freed the bees. The incident happened on Weidkamp Road, which remains closed between Loomis Trail and West Badger roads, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said,” per the outlet.
County emergency management spokesperson Amy Cloud told ABC 7 that the truck driver, who was not hurt, apparently did not make a tight turn which caused the vehicle to roll over.
250 million honey bees escaped after a semi-truck carrying 70,000 pounds in hives overturned in Whatcom County, Washington on Friday.
Over two dozen beekeepers were called in to help contain the situation.
“No one could have predicted 250 MILLION BEES would be loose on a road,”… pic.twitter.com/da5tBP8sKd
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) May 31, 2025