By: Ado Adeboye
Further details have emerged from the road accident tragedy that struck the University town of Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo state, yesterday.
Contrary to earlier reports that over 20 lives were lost when an out-of-control truck loaded with tons of rice reportedly crushed several vehicles; police, palace, hospital and eye witness accounts have confirmed that five fatalities were recorded while the injured are fast recovering at the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare Akoko.
We learnt that the persons who sustained various degrees of injuries were commuters in an 18-seater Hummer Bus travelling from Lagos to Katsina State.
According to a bystander, Sabah Folagbade who was at the accident scene yesterday said the trailer whose brake failed was coming from Ikare direction, collided with the commercial bus.
He further stated that two motorcyclists (Okada riders) were ran down in the sad mishap.
Confirming the incident, the Sarkin Hausawa of Akungbaland, Alhaji Jamil Idris Ismail, said the five victims were deposited at the Iwaro-Oka General hospital's morgue, adding that he personally registered the victims in the mortuary.
He also said efforts were on to convey the corpses to their families who have been contacted in Katsina State.
Meanwhile the truck driver, Abdullahi Audu, stated that he was travelling from the North and that his trailer failed brake near Adekunle Ajasin University hills, causing him to descend the slope through the city centre helplessly. But his luck ran out when his truck collided with the bus coming from Lagos. Other road users were also sadly involved.
The bus driver who survived the ghastly accident, Sanimu Ahmed, disclosed that he tried dodging the on-coming truck, all to a no avail.
However, His Royal Highness Oba Isaac Sunday Adeyeye, Ajimo III, who personally visited the accident scene, was saddened by the tragedy but prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and quick recovery to the injured.
In his own reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer for Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Tee-Leo Ikoro, said the victims who died were already in the morgue while others who sustained injuries were rushed to nearby hospitals.
As at press time, the two drivers and their vehicles are still with the Divisional Police in Akungba Akoko.
"I am aware there was an accident from a tanker that rammed into other vehicles, killed some people while others were injured"
"We have been able to get the injured to the hospital, while the dead are in the morgue. We have been able to clear the traffic for free passage," he said.
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