250-million bees escape following truck crash in Washington state

Honeybees escape following a semi-truck crash in Washington state on May 30, 2025. (Whatcom County Sheriff's Office)

A rural area of Washington state was buzzing Friday after a semi-truck hauling some 250 million bees overturned, allowing the insects to escape.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said the commercial truck crashed on Weidkamp Road, northwest of the community of Lynden, around 4 a.m.

The vehicle was transferring nearly 32,000 kilograms of populated honeybee hives, which came off the truck a few hours after the accident, authorities said.

“Master beekeepers are on scene, and others are on the way, to assist in re-setting the box hives,” the WCSO said, in a news release. “The plan is to allow the bees to re-hive and find their queen bee.”

Crews closed Weidkamp between Loomis Trail Road and West Badger Road throughout the day, and urged the public to keep away from the area due to potential “swarming.”

Authorities expect to keep Weidkamp closed for up to 48 hours to give the bees an opportunity to re-hive.

In a social media update Friday afternoon, the WCSO thanked the state’s “wonderful community of beekeepers,” more than two dozen of whom turned up to help with the recovery effort.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said there is no health risk to the general public, but offered advice to anyone allergic to bee stings.