Via NDHP
We now have more details on yesterday’s dramatic semi rollover that released an estimated two million bees on I-94 near Valley City.
The North Dakota State Patrol says the incident began just before 4 p.m. when a 15-year-old driver of a Chevy Silverado made an improper lane change while merging onto the highway. In reaction to the sudden maneuver, the driver of a westbound Kenworth semi hauling up to 800 beehives took action in effort to evade the Chevy. The semi swerved into the median and attempted to return to the roadway, when the overcorrection caused it to roll on its side. Fortunately, no actual contact was made between the two vehicles.
The teen driver was uninjured, but the 55-year-old semi driver crawled out of his cab only to be immediately swarmed and stung hundreds of times. He ran to the nearby Sheyenne River to escape the bees. He was eventually transported to Mercy Hospital in Fargo for treatment.
Emergency services and the Department of Agriculture worked with local beekeepers to contain the swarms that clustered along the highway barriers. Crews spent a total of eight hours recovering and cleaning up hives.
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