Six Die, Five Injured in Oyo State Road Accident
A devastating road accident occurred on Monday morning in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, resulting in the loss of six lives and leaving five others with varying degrees of injuries. The accident involved a trailer conveying tiles and a lorry loaded with soft drinks, and it occurred at Oke Eleshin, Amuloko on Akanran Road, in the Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred when a trailer lost control and crushed not one, but two unsuspecting tricycles, which are popularly known as Keke NAPEP. The trailer had been descending a slope at the time, and the brake failure was said to be the cause of the accident.
The injured included a pupil whose mother reportedly died in the crash. Four of the injured were taken to the Amuloko City Hospital, where they received various levels of treatment, with two being treated as out-patients and the other two being admitted for further care. A staff of the Oyo Road Transport Maintenance Agency attributed the accident to brake failure, while sympathizers who gathered at the scene blamed the drivers, who are now at large, and expressed regret that the driver of the trailer could have swerved into a ditch to avoid the accident.
The accident led to a serious gridlock, with passengers alighting and trekking. Two other cars were also damaged in the multiple accidents, which left many shaken and disappointed.
The Managing Director of Amuloko City Hospital, Raji Wale, confirmed that the hospital received four patients, with varying degrees of injury. He stated that some patients were taken to other hospitals, while the hospital was able to absorb the ones brought to them. Wale also disclosed that two children, who were in the tricycles with their mothers, were treated and are currently being cared for, with one of the mothers unfortunately losing her life.
The state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mary Alo, confirmed the accident, but stated that she was yet to be fully briefed on the details of the incident, indicating that the investigation is still ongoing.