A tragic accident unfolded early Tuesday morning along Florida State Road 40 in Marion County, leaving eight people dead and 40 others hospitalized.
The incident occurred at 6:35 a.m. involving a collision between a bus transporting farm workers and a Ford Ranger truck.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the Ford truck veered towards the centerline, resulting in a collision with the bus.
The impact caused the bus, carrying approximately 50 individuals, to veer off the road, crash through a fence, hit a tree, and overturn.
Among the injured, eight were in critical condition earlier in the day, with a total of 53 patients being treated.
The driver of the Ford pickup also sustained serious injuries. Authorities have initiated a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the collision.
Emergency medical services responded swiftly, with over 30 ambulances arriving at the scene to provide aid. Several hospitals, including AdventHealth Ocala and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, received patients from the crash.
The farm workers were reportedly en route to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the accident occurred. In response to the tragedy, Cannon Farms announced its closure as a mark of respect for the victims and their families, urging prayers for those affected.
Marion County Public Schools clarified that none of their buses were involved in the accident but assisted in transporting victims to hospitals at the request of first responders. Meanwhile, State Road 40 remains closed in both directions as investigations continue.
Authorities emphasized the challenges ahead in notifying the next of kin, as some of the victims may be from out of the area.
Weather conditions, including rain at the time of the incident, will also be scrutinized as a potential contributing factor.
As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss and offers support to those affected by the tragic event.
