Bees hamper rescue

I read a sad story this morning from New Zealand where a turning truckload of bees was in collision with a car near Mount Ruapehu. The bees took flight and hampered rescue operations despite the help of four beekeepers. Eventually the occupants of the car were taken to hospital where one was reported to have life-threatening injuries.

I was just wondering why bees were in transit so close to the Southern Hemisphere mid-winter. The latest I've ever moved bees in Britian was in October — after that I leave well alone until March.