Six persons have been reported dead while five others sustained varying injuries in a tragic accident early Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The crash, involving a trailer loaded with tiles and a lorry carrying soft drinks, occurred at Oke Eleshin, Amuloko, on Akanran Road in the Ona Ara Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the impact claimed six lives, leaving five others injured, including passengers in two tricycles. Among the injured was a young student, whose mother reportedly died in the crash.
Four of the injured were taken to Amuloko City Hospital nearby, where two primary school children received outpatient care.
Two other victims with severe injuries were admitted for further treatment. The bodies of the deceased were transported to an undisclosed hospital.
According to Punch, a representative from the Oyo Road Transport Maintenance Agency, who requested anonymity, stated, “The accident occurred in the early hours of today Monday). It was caused by brake failure of the trailer that was descending the slope of the road.”
Eyewitnesses recounted that the trailer lost control, crashing into a tricycle. Shortly after, a lorry behind it, attempting to avoid a collision, veered and struck another tricycle.
“When the trailer lost control, it crushed a tricycle popularly called Keke NAPEP. Another lorry conveying soft drinks was coming from behind it and tried to avoid hitting the trailer in front, and in the process hit and crushed another Keke NAPEP.
“We learnt that six persons died while five persons sustained injuries. They have all been conveyed away from here,
” one witness said.
The accident caused heavy traffic, with many passengers opting to walk to their destinations. Besides the trailer and tricycles, two other cars sustained damage in the pile-up.
Sympathisers at the scene, who were prevented from setting the vehicles ablaze, argued that the tragedy could have been minimized if the trailer driver, who fled the scene, had swerved into a ditch rather than staying on the main road.
Managing Director of Amuloko City Hospital, Dr. Raji Wale, confirmed that his facility received four patients from the accident.
“Four patients were taken to his hospital. The accident occurred in the early hours of today ( Monday). Six victims were brought here with varying degrees of injury. Some were taken to other hospitals. We were able to absorb the ones brought here. Two have been treated as out-patient victims and they have been stabilized and they have left.
“Two kids have been treated and they are downstairs. One of them, I was told was in the Keke NAPEP with his mother. The mother died. The other two with severe injuries have been admitted and are being treated. They have been optimized and we are taking care of them presently,
” Wale explained.
Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) State Commander Mary Alo acknowledged the incident, noting that further details were forthcoming.
