At least eight people were killed and dozens injured when a bus carrying migrant farm workers collided with a pickup truck in central Florida on Tuesday, local authorities said.
A bus carrying 53 migrant workers skidded over a pickup truck and crashed through a fence in unincorporated Marion County, west of Ocala, Florida, said a spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol, which is investigating the incident. The car rolled over.
About 40 passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of injuries, a spokesperson said. She did not say the extent of their injuries.
Authorities have not confirmed where the bus was traveling, but local broadcaster WCJB reported that it was carrying workers employed at watermelon farms in the area.
Cannon Farms, a farm and market in Dunnellon, Florida, announced it would be closed until further notice in response to the “losses and injuries sustained” in a traffic accident. The company did not return calls seeking comment.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office announced that the area of State Route 40 where the incident occurred will be closed for the rest of the day.
This is a developing story.
