At least eight were killed, and another 40 were injured after a bus carrying farmworkers in central Florida overturned today.
The bus, which was transporting about 53 farmworkers, collided with a Ford Ranger in Marion County, which is located 80 miles north of Orlando, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Marion County Fire Rescue officials reported that eight people were killed, and another eight were critically injured. Another 37 have suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including the driver of the pickup. Highway patrol said that the number of fatalities could increase due to the severe nature of those critically injured.
News reports indicated the workers were going to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, when the bus swerved off State Road 40, a hilly two-lane road that passes through farms in the area at about 6:30 a.m.
The bus crashed through a fence, ending up on its side in a field, where the escape doors were used to clear occupants.
The incident caused the temporary shutdown of part of the highway.
“We are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation,” FHP Lt. Pat Riordan told reporters at a news conference. “This will be a very long and lengthy and thorough investigation.”
“This is the death that you do not expect from your family members,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods told reporters. “This is the death that is a shock to you, and it’s going to be hard on them, and rightfully so because they just lost a loved one. My heart pleads for them.”
“We will be closed today out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp.,” Cannon Farms announced on its Facebook page. “Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transportation accidents were the leading cause of death for farmworkers in 2021. These accidents included roadway crashes and other accidents, such as tractor overturns.