Bus Accident
8 Dead, Dozens Injured in Marion County Farm Worker Bus Crash
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a devastating bus crash in Marion County, Florida, claimed the lives of eight individuals and left dozens more injured. The tragic incident occurred around 6:35 a.m. on West State Road 40, near Ocala, when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck, causing the bus to overturn.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reported that the crash involved a 2010 International bus transporting 53 farm workers and a 2001 Ford Ranger. The bus was en route to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, a local watermelon farm, when the collision occurred. According to witnesses, the Ford Ranger, traveling eastbound, veered into the westbound lane, resulting in a sideswipe collision with the bus. The impact caused the bus to veer off the road, crash through a fence, and overturn after striking two trees.
Emergency responders from Marion County Fire Rescue were quick to arrive at the scene. They confirmed that eight people had died, and another eight were critically injured. In total, 45 individuals were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Among the injured, 37 sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the pickup truck was also hospitalized.
The scene of the accident was described as chaotic, with the overturned bus lying on its side along the highway. The Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol have closed West State Road 40 between U.S. 41 and County Road 328 to facilitate the ongoing investigation and cleanup efforts. The road closure is expected to remain in effect for an extended period, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, calling the incident a "tragedy." "This is the death that you do not expect from your family members," Woods said. "This is the death that is a shock to you and it's going to be hard on them and rightfully so because they just lost a loved one. My heart pleads for them."
The bus involved in the crash was not affiliated with Marion County Public Schools, although one of their school buses was used to transport victims to the hospital. The private company that owned the bus had its owner aboard the vehicle at the time of the crash, and he was among those transported to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol has deployed its Specialized Investigations Reconstruction Team (SIRT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash. FHP Lt. Pat Riordan stated, "We are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation. This will be a very long and lengthy and thorough investigation." The exact cause of the collision remains undetermined at this time, and investigators are working to piece together the events leading up to the tragic accident.
Local hospitals, including AdventHealth Ocala and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, have been treating the injured. AdventHealth reported that 16 patients were being treated at their facilities, with 12 in the main emergency department and four in the emergency room at AdventHealth Timber Ridge. HCA Florida West Marion Hospital confirmed that five patients were in their emergency room.
Cannon Farms, the destination of the bus, announced on social media that they would be closed for the day. "Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident," the farm stated.
The community has been deeply affected by the incident, with many expressing their shock and sorrow. Local authorities have urged residents to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while the investigation continues. The Florida Department of Transportation has provided detour routes for drivers affected by the road closure.
As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge about the circumstances surrounding the crash. For now, the focus remains on providing medical care and support to the victims and their families, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event.