Latest news with #WhatcomCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Watch: Truck rollover releases 14 million bees onto Washington road
June 2 (UPI) -- A tractor-trailer crash on a Washington road set an estimated 14 million bees loose near the Canadian border, causing the roadway to be closed for 24 hours. The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office said the truck was carrying more than 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives when it rolled over Friday on Weidkamp Road, between Loomis Trail and West Badger roads. The crash caused what was initially reported to be 250 million bees -- but was later amended to be closer to 14 million bees -- to swarm around the roadway. The roadway was closed for about 24 hours to allow the bees to return to their hives and locate their queens. More than two dozen beekeepers assisted with rescue efforts. "The goal is to save as many of the bees as possible," the sheriff's office said on social media. "At this time, on-scene work is done. Hive boxes from the overturned truck were recovered, restored and returned to use," officials wrote. "By morning, most bees should have returned to their hives and those responsible for their delivery will be in charge." Beekeepers said the insects that did not return to their hives will likely turn wild, joining existing colonies or forming new ones. They said the weather and environmental conditions in the area give the bees a high chance of survival. The initial crash appeared to be the result of the driver failing to adequately navigate a turn, officials said. The truck driver was not injured.
UPI
14 hours ago
- General
- UPI
Watch: Truck rollover releases 14 million bees onto Washington road
June 2 (UPI) -- A tractor-trailer crash on a Washington road set an estimated 14 million bees loose near the Canadian border, causing the roadway to be closed for 24 hours. The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office said the truck was carrying more than 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives when it rolled over Friday on Weidkamp Road, between Loomis Trail and West Badger roads. The crash caused what was initially reported to be 250 million bees -- but was later amended to be closer to 14 million bees -- to swarm around the roadway. The roadway was closed for about 24 hours to allow the bees to return to their hives and locate their queens. More than two dozen beekeepers assisted with rescue efforts. "The goal is to save as many of the bees as possible," the sheriff's office said on social media. "At this time, on-scene work is done. Hive boxes from the overturned truck were recovered, restored and returned to use," officials wrote. "By morning, most bees should have returned to their hives and those responsible for their delivery will be in charge." Beekeepers said the insects that did not return to their hives will likely turn wild, joining existing colonies or forming new ones. They said the weather and environmental conditions in the area give the bees a high chance of survival. The initial crash appeared to be the result of the driver failing to adequately navigate a turn, officials said. The truck driver was not injured.
New York Post
a day ago
- General
- New York Post
250 million bees unleashed upon northern Washington after truck overturns
LYNDEN, Wash. — Emergency officials have been busy as … well, you know, cleaning up after a commercial truck full of bee hives crashed in northern Washington, unleashing 250 million bees on first responders. The truck overturned on Weidkamp Road around 4 a.m. Friday near Lynden, just south of the Canadian border, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. A massive response of deputies, public works officials and several bee experts were called to the scene. The 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives on board came off the truck around 9 a.m., unleashing all the bees, deputies said. '250 million bees are now loose,' Whatcom County Sheriff's deputies posted on Facebook. 'AVOID THE AREA due to the potential of bee escape and swarming.' A photo from the scene showed the surreal sight of millions of bees swarming around the wreckage. 'Master beekeepers are on scene, and others are on the way, to assist in re-setting the box hives,' deputies wrote. '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.' 4 A truck crash carrying bee hives released 250 million bees in northern Washington state. Whatcom County Sheriff's Office 4 A swarm of bees seen near the crash truck in Lynden. Whatcom County Sheriff's Office The road was expected to remain closed for up to two days, and authorities urged people to stay at least 200 yards from the crash site. '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 wrote. There is no word as to what led up to the crash. 4 The truck was carrying 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives. Whatcom County Sheriff's Office 4 Authorities have warned people to avoid the area. Whatcom County Sheriff's Office By late afternoon, crews had made progress cleaning up the mess. '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 wrote. 'Hive boxes from the overturned truck were recovered, restored and returned to use. By morning, most bees should have returned to their hives.' This is not the first time Western Washington has dealt with such a bee calamity. In 2015, a truck carrying some 40 million bees was involved in a wreck on Interstate 5 in the northern Seattle suburbs, unleashing a chaotic cloud of angry bees upon commuters and first responders.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- General
- Vancouver Sun
About 250 million honeybees loose near U.S.-Canada border after truck overturns
There was a buzz in the air Friday in northwestern Washington state as about 250 million honeybees escaped a commercial truck that overturned. The truck hauling an estimated 70,000 pounds (31,751 kilograms) of honeybee hives rolled over around 4 a.m. close to the Canadian border near Lynden, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office said in social media posts. It appears the driver did not navigate a tight turn well enough, causing the trailer to roll into a ditch, county emergency management spokesperson Amy Cloud said in an email. The driver was uninjured, Cloud said. Deputies, county public works employees and several bee experts responded to the scene. The box hives later came off the truck, and local beekeepers swarmed to help recover, restore and reset the hives, according to the sheriff's office. 250 million bees escape after truck overturns in Washington State yesterday on May 30, 2025. The plan is to allow the bees to return to their hives and find their queen bee in the next day or two, according to the sheriff's office. The goal is to save as many of the bees as possible. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. '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,' the sheriff's office post said. The public was advised to avoid the area on Friday, and sheriff's deputies dove into in their squad cars at times to avoid being stung. Honeybees are crucial to the food supply, pollinating over 100 crops including nuts, vegetables, berries, citrus and melons. Bees and other pollinators have been declining for years, and experts blame insecticides, parasites, disease, climate change and lack of a diverse food supply. In 2018, the U.N. General Assembly sponsored the first 'World Bee Day' on May 20 to bring attention to the bees' plight. Beekeepers often transport millions of bees from one location to another because leaving them in one location for too long can deplete resources for other pollinators, The Seattle Times reported. Alan Woods, president of the Washington State Beekeepers Association, told the newspaper the state should have a standardized 'emergency bee response' for bee vehicle crashes. In 2015, 14 million bees escaped a truck north of Seattle on Interstate 5 and started stinging people, the newspaper reported at the time. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- General
- Edmonton Journal
About 250 million honeybees loose near U.S.-Canada border after truck overturns
Article content There was a buzz in the air Friday in northwestern Washington state as about 250 million honeybees escaped a commercial truck that overturned. The truck hauling an estimated 70,000 pounds (31,751 kilograms) of honeybee hives rolled over around 4 a.m. close to the Canadian border near Lynden, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office said in social media posts. It appears the driver did not navigate a tight turn well enough, causing the trailer to roll into a ditch, county emergency management spokesperson Amy Cloud said in an email. The driver was uninjured, Cloud said. Deputies, county public works employees and several bee experts responded to the scene. The box hives later came off the truck, and local beekeepers swarmed to help recover, restore and reset the hives, according to the sheriff's office.
