A truck carrying approximately 1,000 beehives overturned on a highway in Texas on Monday, releasing millions of bees into the surrounding area and forcing the closure of a stretch of road for several hours.
Incident Details
The accident occurred on State Highway 21 near the town of Bastrop, about 30 miles southeast of Austin, according to the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office. The driver of the truck was not injured, authorities said. The cause of the overturn is under investigation.
Local beekeepers were called to the scene to help contain and recapture the bees. The highway was closed in both directions while crews worked to clean up the scattered hives and calm the agitated insects.
Response and Impact
“We have never seen anything like this,” said Sheriff Maurice Cook in a statement. “The bees are all over the place, but we are working with experts to resolve the situation safely.”
No stings or injuries were reported among first responders or motorists. The road reopened late Monday evening after the majority of the bees were collected or dispersed.
Beekeeping is common in Texas, which has over 100,000 registered hives. The owner of the hives estimated the value of the lost bees and equipment at tens of thousands of dollars.
