(UPI) A red pepper spill on a California highway turned into a "bee-mergency" situation after a signpost struck by the truck carrying the produce was found to contain a massive hive.

The California Highway Patrol's Santa Maria responded alongside the Santa Maria Fire Department when a semi truck pulling a flatbed trailer overturned on Highway 101 Wednesday morning and spilled its load of red peppers across lanes of traffic.

Crews working to remove the wreckage and clean up the crushed red peppers discovered a sign pole that had been struck and damaged by the truck contained thousands of bees whose hive was now exposed to the elements.

Robert Dias from Swarm Catchers was summoned to the scene and used a special vacuum to safely gather the bees for relocation.

"Talk about a sweet rescue," the CHP wrote on social media. Thanks for making sure things didn't get too sticky out there, Robert!

No injuries were reported from the crash or the ensuing bee rescue.

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