In a tragic incident that unfolded in Florida on Tuesday morning, a bus ferrying migrant farm workers collided with a pickup truck, resulting in the death of eight individuals and injuring 45 others.
The accident occurred on SR-40, located northwest of Orlando near Ocala, around 6:30 am. The bus, which was carrying 53 passengers, rolled over and landed on its side in a field off the highway after colliding with a Ford Ranger truck and subsequently a tree.
The farm workers were reportedly en route to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, Florida, when the fatal collision took place. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, responding to queries about the legal status of the passengers, stated, "They are hard-working individuals and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them being here."
In the aftermath of the accident, the Mexican Consulate in Orlando announced it was providing emergency contact numbers for the "presumably Mexican" migrants on board. The consulate appealed for any information about the affected Mexican individuals and their family members.
The Florida Highway Patrol, which is treating the incident as "vehicular homicide," informed The Independent that around forty injured individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Some of them are reportedly in a "very serious" condition. The agency is currently investigating the cause of the collision.
"It's probably going to be six months, at least, before we conclude factually what transpired here today," FHP Public Information Officer Pat Riorden told reporters at the scene.
Several injured individuals were taken to nearby AdventHealth facilities in Ocala. The hospital confirmed that it was caring for 16 patients from the accident.
"Our prayers are with all those affected by the tragic bus accident in Ocala this morning, stated Dr. Rodrigo Torres, Chief Medical Officer, AdventHealth Ocala. "Our immediate priority is to provide exceptional medical care to those injured, and compassionate support to our patients and their loved ones. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available."
The Marion County Sheriffs Office had to clarify on its Facebook page that the bus involved in the accident was not a school bus, quelling rumors that children were involved in the incident.
The Sheriff described the collision as a "tragedy" and stated that the Highway Patrol was the most competent authority to investigate the wreck.
Cannon Farms, the destination of the workers, announced on Facebook that it would remain closed on Tuesday. "Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident, read the statement.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition described the incident as "gut-wrenching". Adriana Rivera, Director of Communications for FLIC, drew attention to the crucial role of migrant labor in the country's economic success.
"We would not be who we are today without the sacrifice and labor of the men and women who, while vilified and spat upon by many, have been the backbone of our country for generations. From the Chinese who built our railroads, to todays construction and farm laborers, we owe our economic growth to them," Rivera stated. "We wish that this tragedy serves to amplify the voices of the laborers themselves; their dreams, their lives, and their full humanity. May they rest in power.
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