grammar - What is the meaning of 「ため」 in the following sentence?

I understand that ため means "in order to" or "goal".

I don't understand how it works in this sentence though. Could someone please explain.

バスの事故が続いているため出発前に警察などが調べ

This is how I interpret it:

The bus accident | in order to continue being | before the departure | Police etc investigate