Millions of bees escape after truck carrying 400 hives crashes in Texas

A rural Texas neighborhood was inundated with millions of honeybees after a semitrailer carrying about 400 hives overturned. The incident prompted emergency officials in Orange County to close roads and urge residents to remain indoors as crews worked to salvage the bees and their hives.

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Please remain indoors. An 18 wheeler carrying beehives has turned over and there is a heavy presence of bees in the area.

"Please remain indoors," Orange County Emergency Services posted on social media, warning of a "heavy presence of bees in the area." Fortunately, no bee stings or serious injuries were immediately reported. The owner of the hives has not yet been identified.

Members of the local beekeeping community quickly responded to the scene. Christie Ray, owner of Queen Bee Supply, noted that volunteers from several other beekeeping businesses arrived to assist. "They just help each other, that's what they do," Ray said, emphasizing the strong community spirit among beekeepers.

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They just help each other, that's what they do. The beekeeping community is a great community.

Despite the collaborative rescue efforts, the financial and operational impact on the beekeeping business is substantial. Chris Moore, owner of Moore Honey, estimated that only about a quarter of the 408 hives might survive, depending heavily on the survival of the queen bees. Moore highlighted that the loss extends beyond the hives themselves to the potential revenue they generate, calling it "a big loss."

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It's a big loss. Any time you lose that many in one shot, it's a big loss.

Beekeepers commonly transport hives across the country for commercial pollination and to follow blooming seasons for honey production. The truck involved in the crash had reportedly traveled only a few miles on its way to North Dakota when the driver took a wrong turn, leading to the accident while attempting to navigate narrow neighborhood roads.

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We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation as crews work to safely resolve this incident.