A large swarm of about a million bees caused a significant disruption on a highway, leading to hours of road closure as authorities responded swiftly.
On Friday around 11 a.m., a pickup truck transporting bees crashed at the Henry Street exit on Interstate 40 in Knoxville, Tennessee, which released the bees into the surroundings, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
While officials didn’t specify how many hives were involved, it’s common for commercial beekeepers to transport large quantities of honeybees for agricultural purposes and pollination across the nation.
Drivers caught near the accident were instructed to remain in their vehicles as the area around the freeway ramps became filled with bees.
Beekeepers, clad in protective gear, collaborated with authorities to manage the colonies that had dispersed around the crash site and adjacent roads.
Mark Nagi, a TDOT spokesperson, provided updates on social media regarding the situation. His initial post mentioned, “The ramp from I-40 East to Henley Street is currently closed due to a truck crashing and the bees escaping, resulting in a swarm in the area.”
The affected stretch of highway eventually reopened after truckers and beekeepers worked together to regain control of the swarm.
In a following update, Nagi noted, “The ramp from I-40 East to Henry Street is now open, but the truck is wrecked, and the bees are… buzzing.” He advised, “Please stay in your car in this area unless you’re dressed appropriately,” sharing a picture of someone in beekeeper attire.
Nagi also confirmed to a news outlet that no injuries occurred as a result of the crash.
He stated, “Fortunately, there were no injuries. The truck was cleared, and the bees were successfully relocated from the area.”
Similar incidents involving escaped bees have happened before, including one in Utah where millions of bees swarmed the interstate after a semitrailer accident, illustrating the challenges posed by transporting large groups of hives.
While the cause of this particular accident was not disclosed, officials confirmed that the bees were eventually contained, bringing the unusual highway closure to an end.
