9 killed when an overloaded SUV flips into a canal in rural South Florida, authorities say

BELLE GLADE, Florida — Nine people were killed and one person was seriously injured when an overloaded SUV lost control on a South Florida road, struck a guardrail and ended up upside down in a canal, authorities said.

The 2023 Ford Explorer with 10 people aboard was traveling south on Hatton Highway, near the farming community of Belle Glade, around 7:30 p.m. Monday when it reached a portion of the two-lane road that briefly turns west and then heads south again, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

The female driver failed to negotiate the curve and went off the road. The SUV struck a guardrail before ending up in a canal that runs parallel to the road, sheriff’s investigators said.

Palm Beach County Fire Department Capt. Tom Reyes told reporters that when crews arrived, the SUV was upside down and partially submerged in water.

Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, while five died in hospital. The driver is among the dead. A 26-year-old man who was a passenger was rescued and is in serious condition.

“I’ve been with the department for 20 years and this is one of the most difficult scenes I’ve ever worked on,” Reyes said.

According to multiple Ford dealer websites, the 2023 Explorers have a maximum seating capacity of seven people.

No names of the dead, their ages or further details have been released.

Belle Glade is located just south of Lake Okeechobee and approximately 45 miles west of West Palm Beach.