Bus, pickup truck collided before bus carrying 53 farmworkers careened off road, officials say
A bus carrying farmworkers was involved in a crash in Florida on Tuesday morning, leaving at least eight people dead and 40 others hospitalized, authorities said.
The 2010 International Bus was carrying around 53 workers when the vehicle collided with a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck in "a sideswiped manner" on West State Road 40 in Marion County, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the two vehicles to collide.
After the collision, the bus careened off the road and plowed through a fence before overturning.
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The bus was carrying about 53 farmworkers, authorities said. (FOX13 Tampa WTVT)
Of the approximately 40 others hospitalized, eight people were critically injured. The driver of the pickup was also hospitalized with serious injuries, officials said.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods confirmed during a news conference that the bus was carrying migrant workers, which he said was common in the agricultural county.
At least eight people were killed, and 40 others were injured, according to officials. (FOX13 Tampa WTVT)
The bus was taking the workers to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the fatal crash occurred, officials said.
The bus and a pickup truck collided before the bus careened off the road, the Florida Highway Patrol said. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said West Highway 40 was closed due to a "severe accident with fatalities," and advised drivers to take an alternate route.
The FHP is investigating.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
