Several students at an elementary school in Ashland were stung by bees as they got off the bus for their first day of school Wednesday, the local fire department said.

More than 40 students at David Mindess School were assessed for potential allergic reactions or other medical concerns, the Ashland Fire Department said in a Facebook post .

Superintendent of Schools Jim Adams said in a community letter that the incident was caused by a disturbed underground bees’ nest located near the end of the bus loop.

Adams said numerous students and staff members were stung, and many bees traveled into the school building. The people who were stung were treated, and students’ families were called, he said.

“This was undoubtedly a difficult way to start our first day,” Adams said. “Still, thankful

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