Beekeepers in southern Queensland are urgently attempting to rescue thousands of bees following an accident involving a truck transporting their hives on the Warrego Highway. The truck remains in place, with a designated exclusion area established due to the presence of agitated bees in the vicinity.
The relocation of the surviving bee population is planned for later tonight to ensure their continued safety. A team of nine beekeepers has been mobilized to recover as many bees as possible after the truck, which was carrying approximately 360 beehives, overturned around 3:30 AM on Wednesday. As of this morning, the eastbound lane of the Warrego Highway between Mungallala and Mitchell, located about 600 kilometers west of Brisbane, was still closed, with temporary traffic signals set up to manage vehicles.
Heavy machinery is scheduled to assist with the truck’s removal today while an exclusion zone remains in effect. Jacob Stevens, vice-president of the Queensland Beekeepers Association, has been actively participating in the rescue efforts. A commercial beekeeper from Warwick, Mr. Stevens described the situation as challenging but manageable, using calming smoke to soothe the bees. “We are fortunate that the bees tend to stay clustered together, allowing us to keep them as intact as possible,” he remarked.
He noted that by nightfall, the beekeepers would load the rescued bees into more suitable environments to facilitate their recovery. Although a significant number of bees have been successfully rescued, Mr. Stevens acknowledged that many did not survive the incident. The hives were en route to Eromanga, approximately 1,000 kilometers west of Brisbane, for honey production purposes.
Mr. Stevens expressed concerns regarding the impact of hive losses on local suppliers, particularly as the varroa mite continues to threaten the beekeeping industry. Since its detection in Queensland beehives in 2025, it is estimated that 90 percent of wild honeybee colonies in southeast Queensland have collapsed. “Our industry is currently facing severe challenges due to the varroa mite, and we need to unite and support one another,” he stated. He added that the next few years will be particularly difficult for beekeepers along the eastern coastline.
Wayne Bryant, a spokesperson for Traffic Services Australia, indicated that recovering the truck with heavy equipment would be a substantial undertaking. However, he acknowledged that the presence of bees at the crash site is complicating the clean-up efforts. “Anyone getting too close to the truck risks being stung,” he cautioned, noting that only personnel equipped with specialized gear can safely approach the scene.
The truck driver, Bruce Ruge, sustained an elbow injury in the accident and is scheduled for surgery. His father, Rodney Ruge, along with family members and staff, have traveled to Mitchell to assist with the clean-up efforts.
