Truck Crash Releases 250 Million Bees Near Lynden Washington

Approximately 250 million honeybees escaped after a commercial truck carrying an estimated 70,000 pounds of honeybee hives overturned near Lynden, Washington, close to the Canadian border. The accident occurred early Friday morning when the driver failed to navigate a tight turn, causing the trailer to roll into a ditch; fortunately, the driver was uninjured. Emergency responders, including Whatcom County deputies, public works employees, and local beekeepers, quickly mobilized to recover and reset the hives, aiming to allow the bees to return to their hives and reunite with their queen within 24 to 48 hours. The public was advised to avoid the area due to the potential for bee swarming, though there was no general health risk except for those allergic to bee stings. Honeybees play a vital role in pollinating more than 100 crops, but their populations have been declining due to factors such as insecticides, parasites, disease, climate change, and habitat loss. The community response was notable, with over two dozen beekeepers assisting in the rescue effort to save as many bees as possible, highlighting the importance of these pollinators to the food supply.