18 die, 21 injured in Osun, Delta accidents

7 years ago

18 die, 21 injured in Osun, Delta accidents

Eighteen people lost their lives in separate auto crashes in Osun and Delta states on Wednesday.

Five persons died on the spot in a multiple accident which happened close to Akinlalu Junction along the Ife -Ibadan Expressway, while13 persons died in an auto crash along the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway in Delta State.

One of our correspondents gathered that the Osun State accident, which happened around 6.45am, was caused by one of the drivers, who collided with other vehicles while driving against the traffic on top speed.

An eyewitness said that a Toyota Previa and three commercial buses with passengers were involved in the crash.

Among the dead in the Osun crash were two male adults and three female adults, some of who were said to be travelling from Ibadan to Akure.

The 12 people that were injured were reportedly taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex and the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital for treatment while the remains of the dead victims were deposited at the mortuary of the OAUTHC.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Mr. Umar Ibrahim, confirmed the accident to one of our correspondents on the telephone.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osun State, Mr. Babawale Afolabi, also confirmed the accident, saying five persons lost their lives in the accident.

The FRSC sector commander said, “It is true that a multiple accident claimed five lives this morning along Akinola and Akinlalu Junction. Twelve persons were injured and they have been taken to the OAUTHC and the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Ile Ife for treatment.”

He said further investigation would reveal what actually caused the crash while warning motorists against driving against the traffic or violating any traffic rule.

In the Delta State accident, apart from the 13 persons that died, nine others were injured while two of them were in coma in a hospital as of the time of filing this report.

The Delta State Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Random Kulven, who confirmed the tragedy to our correspondent on the telephone, said the accident occurred around the Okpanam Community Junction along the expressway.

He explained that the accident happened when the driver of a green Toyota Car with number plate AA 231 XX heading towards Onitsha lost control, somersaulted many times and crashed into oncoming vehicles.

Kulven said that 13 persons died on the spot, while the nine injured victims were rushed to the hospital.

Kulven, who warned motorists against flouting safety rules, said some of the victims were trapped inside the car and it took sympathisers some hours before they were brought out after breaking the car doors with axes.

He said the corpses were moved to the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.