A multi-vehicle crash in Florida involving a bus, believed to be carrying migrant workers, killed eight people and left 45 others injured on Tuesday, according to police.
The Florida Highway Patrol said that a school bus was carrying 53 people when it was involved in the fatal crash on State Road 40 in Marion County around 6:30 a.m.
Police say the bus was transporting migrant workers who were en route to a watermelon farm.
Courtesy WCJB
A witness told Florida Highway Patrol that a brown Ford Ranger traveling in the eastbound lanes suddenly moved into the westbound lanes and collided with the bus, according to the Ocala StarBanner.
Officials say the crash forced the bus onto the shoulder, where it struck a fence and slammed into two trees, causing the vehicle to overturn.
According to WCJB in Gainesville, Florida, the injured were carried away in another school bus, with eight of them listed in critical condition and the 37 others suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Marion County Public Schools officials confirmed that no students were involved in the crash.
Authorities shut down parts of State Road 40 as they continue to investigate the incident.
Cannon Farms, a family-owned business based in Dunnellon where the workers were being transported said in a statement, “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”.
“Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time,” Cannon Farms added.