A reckless truck driver has crushed six people to death and left several others with injuries in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital on Thursday night, according to sources.
The fatal accident occurred around 10:p.m at Enugada corridor of Lafenwa with the victims believed to be traders returning late from the popular Lafenwa market, Abeokuta.
It was learnt that in the ensuing loss of control, the truck with registration number AAA 86 XX, knocked down two commercial motorcycles registered as DE 968 V and AAB 387 VP, even as it also hit a Honda CRV marked EKY 857 GU.
Operatives of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps(TRACE) were seeing evacuating the victims, clearing road obstruction and directing traffic at the scene, according to a source who witnessed it.
The TRACE Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the accident, attributed the cause to break failure while the truck was descending from Itoku en route enu gada, Lafenwa.
Akinbiyi, however, said four persons died.
“According to eyewitness account, the truck developed a break failure (mechanical) while descending from Itoku enroute Ago-Oba towards Enugada, Lafenwa, and ramned into 2 mororcycles and a Hobda CRV, killing the 2 motorcyclists and the 2 pillion passengers they were both carrying, while the driver of the Honda CRV Car was injured.
“Initially, 6 were presumed dead including the injured Honda CRV driver and a pedestrian but they were revived due to the efforts of the 1st responders and members of the public who gathered at the scene of the crash.
“Unfortunately, the driver and the motor boy disappeared and were no where to be found by the time the truck stopped.
“The body of the dead victims and the injured have been deposited at a hospital by Papa Oscar (Police).
However, the identity of the hospital would be released later.
“While TRACE, FRSC and the Police commiserate with the families of the deceased, motorists are again urged to service their vehicles as at when due and ensure major mechanical components are in good working condition before setting out on a journey,” he said.
