OCALA — A bus carrying workers farm in central Florida overturned Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about 40 other passengers, authorities said.
The bus was carrying 53 farmworkers about 6:40 a.m. when it collided with a truck in Marion County, north of Orlando, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Authorities say the bus left State Highway 40, a straight but somewhat hilly road that runs through several farms. It went through a fence and ended up on its side in a field. Workers were taken to Cannon Farms in Dunellon to harvest watermelons.
Photos taken by the Ocala Star-Banner at the scene show the bus lying on its side with the rear emergency door and top hatch open. The truck that hit him has extensive damage to the driver’s side.
For now there are no indications that the incident was due to bad weather.
“Today we will remain closed in respect to the losses and injuries sustained early this morning in the accident that occurred at Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp.,” Cannon Farms announced on its Facebook page. “Please pray with us for the families and loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time.”
Cannon Farms describes itself as a family-owned agricultural business that has farmed its land for more than 100 years, now focusing on peanuts and watermelons, which it ships to the United States and Canada.
No one answered the phone at Olvera Trucking on Tuesday afternoon. The company was recently looking to hire a temporary driver to take farmers to watermelon crops and operate harvesting equipment. A pay of $14.77 per hour was offered.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
Source: With information from AP
