Bees Swarm After Truck Overturns In Delaware

NEWARK, Del. (AP) -- Swarming bees released after a tractor-trailer carrying them overturned near Newark Tuesday have shut down a highway ramp and kept investigators from getting near the vehicle, said Delaware State Police, who urged drivers to stay away from the area.

The tractor-trailer fell on its side about 6:10 p.m. on a curve on a ramp from Route 896 to Interstate 95 near Newark, said state police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavack.

The driver and a passenger were able to get out of the vehicle and were taken to Christiana Hospital with minor injuries. Shavack did not know if the two were injured in the crash, or stung by bees, or both.

He also said there were reports of passers-by being stung.

State police have had an official honeybee swarm removal plan for 14 years and this is the first time they used it, Shavack said.

Shavack says three on-call bee handlers were sent to the scene and they are working with firefighters to spray water on the insects.

"There's no rounding them up," Shavack said of the bees. "The water will disperse and calm the bee activity."

Because of the bee swarm, troopers have not been able to get close to the tractor-trailer to determine who owns it, where it came from and where it was going.

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