By Ahmed Ajikobi
Ten passengers lost their lives in a fatal road accident which occurred on Monday along the Olooru-Oko-Olowo highway in Moro Local Government of Kwara State.
The fatal accident that claimed 10 lives occurred at Iyemoja village at about 6:40 am involving two vehicles, a Volvo Truck and a Toyota Hiace Bus.
According to the Kwara State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps,( FRSC)Stephen Dawulung , “Today, the 8th of January, 2024, a fatal road traffic crash occured along Olooru – Okoolowo Road around a village known as Iyemoja. The crash which occured around 0640hrs involved two (2) vehicles, a Volvo Truck and a Toyota Hiace Bus.
“On receipt of the report of the crash our Rescue operatives at Olooru Unit and at the Help and rescue Camp( which was established at Bode Saadu to fortify rescue operations during the on going end of year special patrol operations) were immediately mobilised to the crash scene for the rescue operation”.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the following: The crash occured due to wrongful overtaking by the driver of the Volvo Truck which led to the head on collision with the Bus.
“The bus was coming from Lagos enroute Sokoto and was conveying Seventeen (17) Passengers and goods.
“The Truck was coming from the North enroute Lagos and had three (3) passengers. Full investigation is still ongoing to further ascertain some details of the crash.
“A total of Twenty (20) people (15Male Adults, 4 Female Adults and one 1 Male Child) were involved, Ten Male Adults sustained varying degree of injuries while Ten people (5Male Adults, 4 Female Adults and one 1 Male Child) sadly lost their lives.
The injured victims have since been taken to General hospital, Ilorin while corpses of the dead were taken to UITH Mortuary, Ilorin.
“We deeply sympathize with families of the dead and wish the injured victims quick recovery. The Corps wishes to admonish drivers to avoid wrongful overtaking and excessive speeding as these two are major causes of fatal crashes.
” The Kwara Sector Command will continue to play our part in ensuring safety of all Road Users in Kwara State and we hope all drivers will remember to drive to stay alive.”
