20 million bees swarm tractor-trailer after accident

NEWARK, Del. (AP) _ Delaware authorities have reopened a highway ramp where as many as 20 million bees swarmed after the tractor-trailer hauling them overturned near Newark.

The ramp from Route 896 to Interstate 95 reopened Wednesday morning, more than 12 hours after the rig traveling from Florida to Maine crashed.

It carried 460 crated hives, or an estimated 16 million to 20 million honeybees.

Police say the driver and two passengers were taken to Christiana Hospital with minor injuries from the crash and 50 to 100 stings each. There were reports of passers-by being stung.

State police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavack says on-call bee handlers worked with firefighters to spray water to disperse and calm the bees.

It was the first time state police used their official honeybee swarm removal plan.

(Copyright 2014 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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