ACCIDENT!:Twelve People Crushed By A Moving Truck In Ogun State.

No fewer than six people were feared
dead, while six others were critically injured
after a tipper driver rammed into roadside
traders at old Ota Toll Gate in Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the accident,
which happened around 11am on
Thursday, was caused by brake failure.

Eyewitnesses said the sand-filled tipper
marked STOCKINGER STEYR and with
number plate JJJ 551 XB, ran into the
traders who were selling pepper, oil and
bread among others.

An eyewitness said, “The incident happened
around 11am. The tipper was coming from
Lagos when it had a brake failure.
“As the driver struggled with the vehicle,
the vehicle veered off the road and rammed
into the traders.

“It was not a beautiful sight; the tipper was
climbing over the women, men and
children selling bread, pepper and other
wares by the roadside. Those buying too
were not spared.”

He said the driver of the vehicle
immediately fled to avoid mob attack.

Our correspondent observed that the area
was covered with blood stains, and
smashed wares.

As tears flowed, the residents of the area
and other sympathizers started making
frantic efforts to take some of the victims to
hospitals.

The police and officials of the Federal Road
Safety Corps and the Ogun State Traffic
Compliance Enforcement Corps later
arrived at the scene.

The FRSC Ota unit Commander, Mr. Sunday
Omafu, said two people died in the
incident, while seven others were critically injured.

He said one of the dead was an official of
NUPENG, while the second victim was a
woman buying pepper for a naming
ceremony.

He said, “These two people have been
identified by their relatives and taken to the
Ifo General Hospital mortuary.

The rest who
are in critical condition have been taken to
the Sango General Hospital for treatment.”

He said that the tragedy was caused by
disobedience to the state’s traffic rules,
adding that the corps would continue to
organise sensitisation programmes for
members of the public.

He said, “We have always advised that they
should not be selling at the toll gate
because it is dangerous. We have been
driving away okada riders from the road,
but they keep returning because they think
you don’t want them to make money. We
hope to increase our enlightenment
programme because this period of the year
can be challenging.”

Omafu added that the tipper had been
towed to the premises of the Ota Area
Command of the Nigeria Police.

The spokesman for the state police
command, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, however,
said three people died, while four were
injured.

SOURCE: Punchmetro 

May The Souls Departed Rest In Peace...Those Injured Get Healed.