Five people were confirmed dead yesterday, while 12 others sustained injuries, following an auto crash around Foursquare Church, Ajebo, on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The crash, which occurred at about 1:07 p.m., involved a Mazda bus with registration number SMK685YG and a Howo truck with registration number ZE-1210G.
The Guardian learnt that the driver of the bus reportedly slept off due to fatigue, lost control, and rammed into the moving truck.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Florence Okpe, said the injured were taken to Victory Hospital in Ogere Remo, Ikenne Local Council, for medical treatment, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at FOS Morgue, Ipara Remo.
She said: “The fatal crash occurred at about 1:07a.m., on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. A total of 18 persons were involved, comprising 10 male adults and eight female adults. Twelve people were injured. Unfortunately, five persons were recorded dead from the crash.
“The suspected causes of the fatal crash were tyre burst, speed, and fatigue, which led to loss of control because the driver slept off on the wheel and ran into a moving truck. The injured victims were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while the corpses were deposited at FOS Morgue, Ipara Remo.”
The Commander, Ogun Sector Command, Anthony Uga, advised motorists to shun speed and purchase good tyres for their safety and that of their passengers.
On the issue of fatigue, Uga urged drivers to always create time to rest. He also charged passengers to be on the alert and correct any abnormalities they notice in drivers, especially when they are seen dozing.
