By Laura French
GLOUCESTER COUNTY, N.J. — First responders were swarmed by bees at a crash scene in New Jersey Sunday when a truck carrying dozens of boxes of the live insects crashed with an SUV.
The Gloucester County first responders said more than 50 boxes of bees spilled out of the truck onto the highway, releasing swarms that interfered with firefighters and medics attempting to free and treat the trapped SUV driver, according to 6abc.
First responders donned suits with hoods for protection as the driver was extricated, and firefighters also directed water at the bees to fend them off.
Bees also got into the ambulance, further complicating EMS providers’ efforts to tend to the driver, who was freed from the vehicle and transported in critical condition.
A beekeeper responded to the scene to contain the bees and put them back in their boxes.