Washington: Warning after millions of bees escape overturned truck

Master bee-keepers are called to the scene after a truck containing 70,000 pounds of active honey bee hives flipped over.

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Emergency officials were helped by several master beekeepers after the truck, which had been hauling roughly 70,000lb (31,750kg) of active honey bee hives, flipped over on a road near the Canadian border.

"The goal is to save as many bees as possible," Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) said shortly after the incident.

The authorities said the site of the crash would remain closed "until the rescue is complete".

WCSO urged people to "avoid the area due to the potential of bees escaping and swarming", and initially said 250 million bees were loose.