No fewer than nine people, including a primary school pupil and her mother, were k!lled, while several others were critically injured in a horrific auto crash in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The mishap happened on Monday morning, October 14, 2024, at Oke-Elesin, Amuloko, in the Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Ibadan, involved two trucks loaded with soda drinks and tiles, along with two tricycles popularly known as “Keke Marwa.”
Eyewitness accounts say one of the trucks carrying tiles lost control due to possible brake failure and rammed into another truck carrying drinks while the tricycles and the minibus all got caught up in the chaos that ensued.
It was reported that six of the victims died on the spot, while the injured are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.
An eyewitness added, “The accident occurred early this morning. It was caused by brake failure on the truck as it descended the slope of the road. After losing control, it crushed a tricycle, or Keke NAPEP. Another lorry, carrying soft drinks, was following closely behind and, in an attempt to avoid the truck in front, collided with and crushed another Keke NAPEP.”
“We learned that six people died, while five others were injured. They have all been taken away from the scene.”
The accident caused a serious gridlock with passengers alighting and trekking.
Aside from the vehicles and tricycles, two other cars were damaged in the multiple accidents.
Sympathisers who were prevented from burning the vehicles blamed the drivers (now at large) and claimed that the accident could have been minimized if the driver of the one that lost the brake had swerved into a ditch instead of facing the incoming tricycle.
Giving his account of the incident, the Managing Director of Amuloko City Hospital, Dr. Raji Wale, confirmed that four patients were brought to his hospital.
“The accident occurred early this morning. Six victims were brought in with varying degrees of injuries, and some were taken to other hospitals. We managed to treat those brought here. Two were treated as outpatients and have been stabilized and discharged. Two children are still here. I was informed that one of the children was in the Keke NAPEP with his mother, who died.”
“The other two, with severe injuries, have been admitted and are being treated. They have been stabilized, and we are continuing their care,” Dr. Raji added.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Oyo State, Mrs. Rosemary Alo, confirmed the accident.
Watch clips from the scene here.
