Semitrailer Accident Releases Millions of Honeybees in Orange County, Texas
ORANGE COUNTY, TX — A semitrailer carrying approximately 400 beehives tipped over Sunday morning, releasing millions of honeybees into a rural neighborhood.
Emergency officials closed nearby roads and advised residents to stay indoors while crews worked to unload the trailer and recover as many hives as possible. The incident occurred a few miles from the driver's intended destination in North Dakota, caused by navigation errors in a tight neighborhood.
No serious injuries or bee stings were reported. The identity of the hive owner remains unknown.
Local beekeeper Christie Ray stated that volunteers from three other beekeeping operations assisted in the recovery efforts. “They just help each other, that's what they do,” Ray noted about the beekeeping community's support.
Chris Moore, owner of Moore Honey, estimated that only about 25% of the 408 hives may survive, contingent on the number of living queen bees. “Any time you lose that many in one shot, it's a big loss,” Moore stated, emphasizing the financial impact on the beekeeper involved.
Other local beekeepers have set up catch boxes to collect stray bees, although it may take time for them to disperse from the area.
In April, a similar incident occurred near Knoxville, Tennessee, when a truck spill involving bees caused traffic delays.