Eight dead, eight fighting for life in bus crash in northern Florida

Eight people have been killed and eight critically injured when a bus carrying labourers collided with a pick-up truck and then overturned in northern Florida, authorities say.

The workers were headed to pick melons at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, a small farming community in Marion County when their bus overturned about 8.30am on West State Road 40, the Ocala Star Banner reported, citing Florida Highway Patrol and Marion County Fire Rescue officials.

A total of 53 people were on the bus.

The other 37 passengers were transported to hospitals for minor injuries, said James Lucas, the public information officer for Marion County Fire Rescue.

The 2010 International Bus sideswiped a 2001 Ford Ranger pick-up truck, sending it off the roadway, then crashed through a fence before overturning, Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Steve Gaskins said in a statement.