Local

‘Support our brothers’: People visit memorial honoring Marion County bus crash victims

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens are expected to gather outside the Marion County crash site to remember the eight lives lost.

WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

A vigil is set to start at 6 p.m. Friday at the memorial outside the crash site that has grown overnight.

Eyewitness News spoke to people from across Central Florida and even the country, who stopped to pray, leave flowers, and donate their time or money to build the memorial.

“We want to support our brothers in the best way we can,” said Roberto Marquez, who drove to Marion County from Dallas, Texas, after hearing of the tragedy on the news.

Read: People will hold vigil tonight for 8 who died in Marion County bus crash

On Thursday, Marquez began building this memorial outside the crash site. He began with eight crosses, symbolizing the eight lives lost. Mexican flags draped over each cross. Each bears the migrant worker’s name.

Marquez says he wants their names never to be forgotten.

“I was illegal one time,” Marquez said. “And ever since, I noticed that we are the forgotten ones.”

Read: Bodycam video shows when first responders arrived at Marion County bus crash

Now, those crosses are surrounded by a variety of artwork and flowers.

On Friday, mourners from all different backgrounds and parts of the community planted flowers. Others set down bouquets.

Many don’t know one another--and most never knew those lost.

“I’m here just to come and say that I’m so sorry for the loss of the ones whose lives were lost here,” said Ann Steele. “And although I didn’t know them personally, they’re still human like, just like we are, no matter where they come from.”

Read: U.S. Department of Labor confirms ‘open investigation’ of deadly crash that killed 8 farm workers

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

0