15 dead, 17 injured, as Drowsy Truck Driver loses control
Fifteen persons, all males, have died in an auto crash at Muslim cemetery, along Ogbomoso-Oko Olowo route on Ilorin-Jebba expressway, Kwara State.
According to a report from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the fatal crash, which occurred about 2.32am today, (Monday) was a lone accident, involving a trailer ( DAF XF), with registration number GWL274XC.
The report disclosed that the trailer with massive loads and several owners on top suddenly went off track from the main road while the driver was asleep, causing the long truck to detach from its head while all the loads fell off on the owners.
A total number of 48 people (all males) were said to have been involved in the crash, 17 of which sustained varying degrees of injury with 16 persons reported unhurt.
The FRSC sector commander, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, who confirmed the crash disclosed that the types of injury sustained include fracture, dislocation and bruises. He gave the name of the driver as Nasiru Mohammed.
The FRSC boss stated that the injured victims had been taken to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for medical attention, adding that the corpses had been handed over to the representatives of the families and Sarkin Hausawa, Oko Olowo, in the Moro local government area of Kwara State.
He added that the search for more victims that were buried under the load was going on, noting that the rescue operation was jointly carried out by personnel of RS8.15 Oloru and RS8. 1 Kwara (Oko Olowo outpost).
According to the Sector commander, the command intended to intensify public enlightenment through the town hall meeting with relevant stakeholders. He advised motorists to avoid mixed loading and night travelling.
