National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Tragedy struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday morning when six people lost their lives and five others sustained injuries in a multiple road accident at Oke Eleshin, Amuloko on Akanran Road, Ona Ara Local Government Area.
The horrific accident involved a trailer carrying tiles and a truck loaded with soft drinks. Two tricycles, commonly known as Keke NAPEP, were also caught in the collision. Among the victims was a school pupil whose mother died in the crash.
An official from the Oyo State Road Transport Maintenance Agency, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that brake failure from the trailer caused the accident.
“The accident occurred early Monday morning due to the brake failure of the trailer as it was descending a slope,” the official explained.
An eyewitness who described the chaotic scene recounted how the trailer lost control and crushed one of the tricycles.
“The trailer lost control and hit a Keke NAPEP. Another truck, which was carrying soft drinks, tried to avoid hitting the trailer, but in the process, it crashed into another Keke NAPEP,” the eyewitness said.
“Six people died, and five others were injured. They’ve all been taken to the hospital.”
The crash triggered significant traffic gridlock, forcing commuters to abandon their vehicles and trek long distances. In addition to the two tricycles, two other cars were damaged in the accident.
Sympathizers at the scene, angered by the incident, attempted to set the vehicles on fire, blaming the drivers, who reportedly fled the scene.
“The driver of the trailer should have swerved into a ditch instead of heading directly for the tricycle,” a bystander lamented.
The injured were rushed to the nearby Amuloko City Hospital. Dr. Raji Wale, the Managing Director of the hospital, confirmed the arrival of four victims, including two schoolchildren.
“We received six victims of the accident. Two of the injured, including children, were treated as outpatients and have been stabilized. Two others with more severe injuries are currently receiving treatment,” Dr. Wale stated.
The Federal Road Safety Commission’s state commander, Mary Alo, also confirmed the incident but noted that full details were still being gathered.
By Alimi Micheal
