I-35 clear of honey bees after semi-truck crash

PAULS VALLEY, Okla._I-35 is clear of millions of swarming honey bees after the semi-truck carrying them crashed and set them loose.

Crews and witnesses estimate there were millions of honey bees out on I-35 near Pauls Valley yesterday. Drivers thought the roads looked clear, but as they drove closer to the scene they could see swarms of honey bees. A Garvin County Sheriff's deputy was trapped in his patrol car when they bees covered all of the windows.

Beekeepers spent hours trying to capture all the bees. But as the sun set, they got more aggressive and crews started the fire.

"It's a serious health hazard for people that don't have a bee suit on," said Brian Royal, Royal Bee Supply. "So, they gotta do what they gotta do. This is nothing out of the ordinary and I know there are a lot of bee keepers that are like 'oh my gosh!' But you should have been here, because you could have had all the bees you wanted until 7:30."

Witnesses say they could see bees about a half a mile away from the crash yesterday. The driver of the semi carrying all those bees was sent to the hospital with minor injuries, but was later released. Beekeepers say they were able to save several hundred thousand bees.