By Oluseye Ojo
Five persons lost their lives in a fatal multiple road traffic crash, involving seven vehicles, which occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident occurred at Sanyo on Ibadan-Lagos expressway. The vehicles were coming from the Iwo Road axis and heading towards Ibadan Toll Gate.
The Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo Sector Command, Mayowa Odewo, a Chief Route Commander, confirmed the five deaths.
He stated that seven vehicles were involved in the crash, comprising two Nissan Micra cars, being used for commercial purposes, two private cars – Toyota Camry, and three trucks, consisting of an Iveco tanker, a DAF truck, and a Sino truck.
Odewo stated that the accident was caused by speed violation, wrongful overtaking, and loss of control.
Apart from the five deaths, one male was also confirmed injured, among the 11 persons that were reportedly involved in the crash. The breakdown of all persons involved showed that they comprised eight males and three females.
Odewo stated further that the injured person rescued by men of Sanyo Police Station was taken to hospital, while the corpses of dead persons were deposited at the morgue of State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan.
He added that other persons involved in the crash did not sustain injuries and they found their way to their destinations.
Meanwhile, the police have taken charge of the accidented vehicles.
Odewo stated that one of the bodies of the dead victims was released to its relatives with the express permission of the police.
He advised drivers to always take precautions and engage in defensive driving while on the road.
Odewo dismissed the unverified reports that 10 persons lost their lives in the crash. He explained that ‘seeing people lying down at an accident scene, nobody can say they are dead until otherwise confirmed.’