An estimated 16 million to 20 million honey bees swarmed a Delaware highway after a truck carrying 460 hives overturned on Interstate 95 outside of Newark on Tuesday.
The truck was transporting the hives from Florida to Maine when it overturned on a curve, according to Delaware state police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavack. The 55-year-old truck driver and two passengers, men ages 24 and 25, were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The driver is reported to have suffered a minor arm injury, and all three men were reportedly stung by an estimated 50 to 100 bees.
PHOTOS: Truck carrying 460 beehives overturns, millions of bees swarm highway http://t.co/KLru2BNuGG pic.twitter.com/o0KHEQWdL2
— wusa9 (@wusa9) May 21, 2014
The highway was shut down for seven hours, and Delaware state police worked alongside bee handlers and firefighters to spray water to disperse the bees while implementing a swarm removal plan designed 14 years ago.
Swarming bees shut down Delaware highway: http://t.co/24YPEdcEn1 pic.twitter.com/oa7PsbI3ip
— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) May 21, 2014
Millions of bees on the loose in Delaware after a truck overturns on 95! @DKinchenFOX29 is there. See you at 10. pic.twitter.com/x6fRpAiiOL
— Iain Page (@IainPageFox29) May 21, 2014
20 million bees swarm after truck overturns in Delaware http://t.co/Mbi4Iuints pic.twitter.com/G7yH7O0evV
— Calgary Herald (@calgaryherald) May 21, 2014
A truck hauling 460 hives of honey bees from Florida to Maine overturned in Delaware. http://t.co/T7xf1p8EGC pic.twitter.com/g9JgzwJCko
— WBIR Channel 10 (@wbir) May 21, 2014
Update: Truck was hauling 16-20 million honeybees from Florida to Maine. @SuchatPederson photo http://t.co/G3BwM6IC2X pic.twitter.com/QoSP5OwwPY
— delawareonline (@delawareonline) May 21, 2014