Man Dies After School Bus Crashes with Oncoming Truck

A routine afternoon turned into a nightmare in Florida after a devastating crash involving a school bus and a pickup truck left a 76-year-old man dead — while horrified bystanders listened to his desperate cries for help from inside the wreckage.

The tragic collision happened around 2:50 p.m. Wednesday along State Road 40 in Marion County, according to local reports. Authorities say a GMC Sierra was heading west when a school bus traveling in the opposite direction attempted to make a left turn directly into its path.

The impact was violent.

Witnesses said the pickup truck became mangled after slamming into the bus, trapping the elderly driver inside as stunned motorists rushed to the scene.

One witness, Lorie Provancher, told local station WESH that the moments after the crash were haunting.

“The gentleman was screaming for someone to get him out of his truck,” she said. “All we could do was call 911 and try to comfort him while waiting for help.”

Provancher said she and other witnesses desperately tried to reach the trapped man, but the wreckage was too crushed to get inside.

“It was awful,” she reportedly said, explaining that everyone felt helpless as the man cried out in pain.

First responders eventually pulled the victim from the destroyed truck and rushed him to a nearby hospital. Tragically, he later died from his injuries.

Officials believe the school bus driver may have failed to yield while making the turn, though the Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the deadly crash.

The school bus involved belonged to Maplewood Elementary School and had four students, the driver, and a bus aide onboard at the time. Miraculously, none of the children or school employees were injured.

Still, the emotional fallout has shaken the community.

“The thoughts and prayers of our entire district are with the victim’s family,” Marion County Public Schools said in a statement. “The lives of everyone involved are forever changed.”

The district said grief counselors are being made available for students and staff following the horrific incident.

Officials also confirmed the bus driver — described as an 11-year veteran employee — has been temporarily removed from driving duties while investigators determine exactly what happened.

The fatal wreck is reportedly the latest in a string of recent school bus crashes and close calls in central Florida, sparking growing concerns from parents about student transportation safety.