Boxes of bees, honey and containers of water fell from the truck and blocked traffic when the wheel came loose about 8.30am. Senior Constable Travis Wyatt said a significant amount of debris spilled from the truck.

“There were lots of angry bees everywhere,” he said.

“The truck lost its wheel and its entire load spilled out onto the side of the road.”

Traffic was slowed at the intersection of Bendigo-Maryborough Road and Bradford Road for close to two hours.

Apiarists were called in to help collect the bees. One witness said he suffered a minor sting but there were no reported injuries..

The driver of the truck was unharmed in the incident.