Ruth Semilore
Six persons have lost their lives while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a road accident in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday morning.
The incident which involved a trailer conveying tiles and a lorry loaded with soft drinks, occurred at Oke Eleshin, Amuloko on Akanran Road, in the Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state.
The accident claimed six persons while injuring five others in two tricycles.
Among the injured was a pupil whose mother reportedly died in the crash.
Four of the injured who were conveyed to the Amuloko City Hospital nearby included two primary school children who were treated as out-patients while two with severe injuries have been admitted for proper treatment.
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The deceased were conveyed to a hospital that was not yet ascertained.
A staff of the Oyo Road Transport Maintenance Agency, who did not want his name in print said, “The accident occurred in the early hours of today Monday). It was caused by brake failure of the trailer that was descending the slope of the road.”
An eyewitness said the accident occurred when a trailer lost control and crushed an unsuspecting tricycle.
The eyewitness stated,
“When the trailer lost control, it crushed a tricycle popularly called Keke NAPEP. Another lorry conveying soft drinks was coming from behind it and tried to avoid hitting the trailer in front, and in the process hit and crushed another Keke NAPEP.
“We learnt that six persons died while five persons sustained injuries. They have all been conveyed away from here.”
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.
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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.
The Managing Director of the Amuloko City Hospital, Raji Wale confirmed that some of the victims were rushed to his hospital.
Wale said,
“Four patients were taken to his hospital. The accident occurred in the early hours of today ( Monday). Six victims were brought here with varying degrees of injury. Some were taken to other hospitals. We were able to absorb the ones brought here. Two have been treated as out-patient victims and they have been stabilized and they have left.
“Two kids have been treated and they are downstairs. One of them, I was told was in the Keke NAPEP with his mother . The mother died. The other two with severe injuries have been admitted and are being treated. They have been optimized and we are taking care of them presently. He explained.
When contacted, the state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mary Alo, confirmed the accident but said she was yet to be appropriately briefed about the details of the incident.
