Eight people were killed and eight others were seriously injured after a bus carrying farmworkers crashed and overturned in Florida.
The bus was carrying 53 workers when it collided with a pickup truck in Marion County, north of Orlando, the Florida Said the Highway Patrol (FHP).
The bus then veered off State Highway 40, a two-lane mountainous road that runs through farms, and crashed into a fence before overturning, authorities said.
The incident took place at 6.35am local time on Tuesday and it is unclear why the two vehicles crashed.
A total of 40 people required hospital treatment, eight of whom are in critical condition, Marion County Fire Rescue confirmed to NBC News.
The truck driver was also taken to the hospital and more than 30 ambulances responded to the scene, NBC News added.
Debris can be seen around the bus and both emergency hatches are open. Photo: AP
FHP Lt. Pat Riordan told reporters that some of the injured are “in very serious condition” and that there is a “high probability” the death count will rise.
“Right now we are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation,” he said.
More US news:
The latest trial against Trump as his former lawyer takes the stand
‘Inappropriate behavior’ shuts down live broadcast between Dublin and New York
Firefighters and more than 30 ambulances attended the scene of the accident. Photo: AP
Torrential rain and thunderstorms have affected some regions of the US in recent days, including Marion County, and authorities will investigate whether weather contributed to the collision.
Photos from the scene show the bus on its side, with the rear emergency door and top hatch open.
The bus was carrying 53 people when the accident occurred. Photo: AP
Farm workers were being transported to Cannon Farms in Dunellon, where watermelons were being harvested.
Following the accident, a social media post from the farm said it “will be closed today out of respect for the losses and injuries sustained early this morning.”
“Please pray with us for the families and loved ones involved in this tragic accident,” the post continued. “We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time.”
Cannon Farms is a family-owned business that has been in operation for more than 100 years, according to its website.
They now focus on peanuts and watermelons, which they supply to grocery stores in the United States and Canada.
The vehicle transporting the workers was a 2010 International Bus and the pickup truck was a 2001 Ford Ranger, authorities said.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
