Swarms of bees buzzed around State Route 243 north of Mattawa today after a truck loaded with beehives overturned on the shoulder of the highway.

The Washington State Patrol says a 20-year-old man from Baker City, Ore., John N. Alpha, was driving a flatbed truck loaded with beehives and towing a trailer carrying a farm tractor.

The trailer began to sway, causing Alpha to lose control and drive off the side of the road.

The truck and trailer rolled over, causing the beehives and tractor to fall off. Alpha was not hurt, but a lot of bees got out.

Trooper Rich Magnussen said workers wouldn't really be able to contain the bees until they returned to their hives at nightfall.