*The 7:34 p.m. post will be the last update on this real-time reporting blog. Further updates will be reporter in a new article.
MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE, 7:34 p.m.: State troopers say State Road 40 re-opened to traffic around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Drivers had to detour around the accident scene for more than 12 hours.
UPDATE, 6:41 p.m.: The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has arrested 41-year-old Bryan Howard in connection with the deadly collision. Troopers charged him with eight counts of DUI manslaughter.
UPDATE, 5:00 p.m.: The director of mission and ministry for AdventHealth hospitals briefed reporters Tuesday afternoon. Andres Sequera said that the injured workers who could be visited by chaplains were in good spirits considering what they have been through. “We were able to provide support, presence, prayer when it was asked of us,” Sequera said.
As of 4:53 p.m., a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol said State Road 40 was still closed.
UPDATE, 2:38 p.m.: 352today is awaiting updates on the conditions of those injured in today’s bus crash. Many were transported to AdventHealth on Southwest 1st Ave. in Ocala. We’re anticipate an update around 3 p.m. when chaplains who have been interacting with victims are expected to brief the media.
Meantime the Professional Firefighters of Marion County (PFFMC) have issued a statement regarding the fatal bus crash.
The PFFMC are proud of the brave and heartbreaking work completed by its members today when responding to the bus crash on Highway 40 in western Marion County. While the severity and scope of the tragedy is wide, the professional response of our members was heroic,” said the firefighting union. “This tragedy highlights the complicated, stressful and emotionally taxing role that first responders face daily on emergency scenes large and small.”
UPDATE, 1:14 p.m.: The busload of migrant workers was headed to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon.
In a Facebook post, the farm says they will be closed today out of respect for the losses and injuries associated with the bus wreck.
“Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident.”
UPDATE, 12:23 p.m.: Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) says first responders from Meadowood Farms Station #12 arrived on scene at 6:46 a.m. Tuesday morning and found a bus filled with migrant workers rolled over. The crew immediately declared a “mass casualty incident” and requested additional resources.
Multiple agencies responded to help transport the injured.
“Today, we faced a tragic incident on West Highway 40 in Ocala with a devastating bus wreck. It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the loss of eight lives,” stated Fire Chief James Banta. “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the 35 MCFR units that promptly responded to the emergency. I also want to thank our partners at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, HCA Ocala, Advent Health Ocala, and the Marion County Public School system for their invaluable assistance in transporting 45 patients to local hospitals. Their coordinated efforts were crucial in managing this crisis.”
FHP says the wreck happened around 6:35 a.m. on Tuesday on State Road 40, approximately 500 feet west of SW 148 Court.
Troopers say a 2010 International Bus transporting approximately 53 farm workers and a 2001 Ford Ranger truck collided in a sideswipe manner.
“Post collision the bus traveled off the roadway through a fence and then overturned,” said FHP in a news release.
UPDATE, 10 a.m.: Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) has confirmed eight died in the farm bus crash on State Road (SR) 40 Tuesday morning.
MCFR says 45 others have been injured, at least 8 of those are in critical condition.
The public information officer says the bus was filled with migrant workers headed to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon.
UPDATE, 8:49 a.m.: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) says State Road (SR) 40 is closed between U.S. 41 and West County Road (CR) 328 between Ocala and Dunnellon.
FDOT says there are multiple fatalities in the wreck.
Transportation officials ask drivers to avoid the area and take alternate routes.
FDOT suggests the following detours:
- Motorists wishing to head eastbound on SR 40 should take US 41 northbound to West CR 328, then take West CR 328 eastbound back to SR 40.
- Motorists wishing to head westbound on SR 40 should take West CR 328 westbound to US 41, then take US 41 southbound back to SR 40.
FDOT says SR 40 may be closed for an extended period of time while the Florida Highway Patrol investigates the crash.
ORIGINAL, 8:18 a.m.: Multiple agencies are responding to a wreck on State Road (SR) 40 in Dunnellon.
Florida 511, the state’s real-time traffic reporting website, indicates SR 40 is closed in both directions.
That is also the same information we’re hearing from listeners to our sister radio station 93.7 K-Country who are caught in the traffic. Witnesses on the scene told us a bus was involved. We have confirmed from a source at Marion County Fire Rescue that a farm bus rolled over.
First responders are on the scene treating injuries.
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