AT least eight people are dead and dozens have been hospitalized following a horrific crash that involved an overturned bus.
The crash occurred on Tuesday on State Road 40 in Marion County, Florida, about an hour and a half northwest of Orlando.
Florida Highway Patrol said the bus carrying 53 migrant laborers overturned at around 6:30 am.
Harrowing photos from the scene showed the mangled white bus turned on its side on a grass field several yards off the road.
It appeared to have cut through a line of trees and crashed through a fence before stopping, leaving deep tire tracks and a trail of debris in its wake.
Aerial photos showed the bus sustained heavy damage to its front and side.
A brown Ford Ranger pickup truck suffered heavy damage to the driver’s side.
It’s unclear if the driver of the pickup truck was among those who were injured.
“For reasons to be determined, the two vehicles collided in a sideswiped manner,” Florida Highway Patrol said.
“Post collision, the bus traveled off the roadway through a fence and then overturned.”
At least eight people died in the crash, and eight others were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
An additional 37 people were taken to the hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said.
Troopers told the Ocala StarBanner that the laborers were headed to Cannon Farms, a family-operated watermelon farm in Dunnellon.
Cannon Farms announced it will be closed on Tuesday following the tragic event.
“We will be closed today out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp,” the farm said on Facebook.
“Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time.”
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office urged drivers planning on taking State Road 40 to find an alternative route.
Marion County Public Schools confirmed the bus was not affiliated with its institutions and that none of its students were involved in the crash.
