At least 20 people have been confirmed dead following a fatal motor accident at Hawan Kibo in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Operatives of the Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC ) were were seen at the crash scene diverting traffic. conducting rescue operations and evacuating injured victims for medical treatment.
The accident occurred at about 5pm on Friday along the Hawan Kibo bend, a section of the road regarded by residents as dangerous, throwing the community into panic as residents and motorists rushed to the scene.
The Plateau State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi, confirmed the death, according to the PUNCH.
Ogungbemi said FRSC personnel were at the scene conducting rescue operations and evacuating injured victims to nearby hospitals.
“Yes, it is true. There was an accident this evening at the Hawan Kibo area in Riyom LGA of Plateau State. Our officers are right there at the scene on rescue operation,” he said.
He described the crash as serious, adding that several injured victims had already been taken to hospitals while others were still being evacuated.
“It was a terrible accident. They have evacuated many injured persons to the hospital and others are still being taken to the hospital right now. At the moment, I can confirm to you that 20 people have been confirmed dead from the accident,” the FRSC commander said.
He said preliminary findings indicated that brake failure caused the crash.
“It was a brake failure. We will continue to advise that motorists should always check their vehicles before driving. And they should drive carefully, especially when negotiating a bend,” Ogungbemi added.
A passer -by, Moses Gyang, who said he was close to the scene when the accident occurred, described it as devastating.
“I was close by when it happened around 5pm. The vehicle lost control while descending the hill. It was a terrible sight; people were shouting for help,” Gyang said.
Another eyewitness said the crash attracted a large crowd, which made rescue operations more difficult.
“We have never seen such an accident here in recent times. Many people were lying on the ground. FRSC officers came quickly and started carrying the injured to the hospital, but many had already died,” the eyewitness said.
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