Eleven Dies As Truck Rams Into Ondo Market - Politics

*Driver, assistant disappear; tanker crushes FRSC Special Marshal

By Dayo Johnson & Gbenga Olarinoye

NO fewer than 10 persons were killed and several others injured yesterday as a trailer reportedly lost control and rammed into a market at Owena, a boundary town between Osun and Ondo states.

Also, Osun State coordinator of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Special Marshal programme, Chief S. O. Adewale, was crushed to death in the same area.Findings revealed that the trailer was heading for Akure, Ondo State, from Ilesha in Osun State when its brake system developed fault, and the driver manoeuvred the vehicle into a road side market along Ilesha-Akure Expressway.

Vanguard learned that many of the victims of the road accident were traders, artisans and drivers, all from neighbouring communities who usually come to transact businesses once a week on both sides of the expressway.

Mangled
The trailer was said to have crushed many of the victims beyond recognition, while others were left with charred bodies.

Those who were reportedly rescued from the accident scene were rushed to the General Hospital in Ilesha, while those whose condition could not be redeemed were left at the scene.

The dead bodies were later removed from the scene by officials of FRSC from Ipetu-modu division and the police.

The accident resulted in a gridlock on the expressway, forcing motorists to use bush paths as alternatives.

Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, mobilised themselves to clear the wreckage of the accident.

An eyewitness account said the driver of the trailer and his assistant disappeared into the crowd for fear of being lynched.

It could not be confirmed if they too sustained injuries in the crash, but some youths attempted to set the trailer on fire after the crash. They were stopped by some elders in the community.

FRSC’s comment
Contacted, Head of Operations of FRSC, Mr. Jones Malomo, said the crash was caused by brake failure.

Malomo, who confirmed that some people were killed, was, however, not categorical on the number of deaths recorded.

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