MARION COUNTY, Fla. — The Central Florida community held a memorial service Tuesday for the migrant farmworkers killed in the Marion County bus crash on May 14.
Eight people died, and at least 40 others were injured, in the crash on State Road 40.
A week later, those affected by the tragedy still feel the support from the community.
The Farmworker Association of Florida is raising money to support the victims' family members.
But just as important as financial support is emotional support.
That’s what Tuesday’s event was all about.
Ana Lamb, the president of the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 7280, is one of many working to support the survivors.
“They’re like a family I didn’t know we had. They knew they were going to work and come back, but now with this tragedy, that’s not possible right now,” Lamb said.
With her organization, she’s working to provide food to the affected families, as well as helping hire attorneys to go through the workers’ compensation process.
“I just want to assure that we’re doing the best, and we’re going to continue supporting them as long as they need,” Lamb said.
Juan Sabines Guerrero of the Mexican consulate in Orlando said the body of one of the deceased is en route to Mexico.
Meanwhile, four families from Mexico are coming to Florida to honor their lost loved ones.
“It’s terrible. It’s very sad. All of them are very young guys,” Sabines said.
Guerrero said they’re working to meet the families of the victims when they arrive in Florida.