10 passengers die in Ondo auto crash
Ten passengers were feared dead yesterday in an auto crash at Agbogbo area of Akure/Owo expressway in Ondo State.
The accident involved a 14-passenger Toyota bus with registration number PKN 63 XA and a Mercedes Benz marked ABJ 561 KWL.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the crash occurred at about 5.am but could not say what caused it. He, nonetheless, said that the position he met the vehicles and the parts that were damaged indicated that it was a head-on collision. According to him, one of the buses was traveling from Lagos to Abuja while the other one was coming from Jos, Plateau State.
“We just heard a very loud sound and we quickly rushed down there and met the two buses. The passengers were trapped inside one of the buses. Many of them were already dead,” the eyewitness said.
The Guardian learnt that men of the state police command and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) promptly arrived at the scene to rescue the victims.
The security agencies took the bodies of the victims to the morgue of the Ondo State Specialists Hospital, Akure. Those injured were also taken to the hospital for treatment. Their identities were still unknown at press time.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident. He attributed it to reckless driving and dangerous overtaking.
“It was clear that the accident was caused by reckless driving. We learnt that the incident occurred when the drivers were attempting to overtake each other,” he said.
Joseph implored motorists and other road users on the highways to always be mindful of the traffic rules and regulations.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.