TRAGEDY struck in Jos, Plateau State, when a train returning from Bukuru Station collided with a commercial tricycle at the Dogon Karfe level crossing, leaving two people dead and two others injured.
According to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the accident occurred yesterday when the tricycle operator, popularly known as a keke NAPEP driver, attempted to beat the oncoming train despite repeated warnings from railway staff stationed at the crossing.
The Public Relations Officer of NRC’s Jos Station, Adamu Abdullahi, explained that the tricycle operator ignored signals to stop and tried to cross the tracks.
“Our train was coming back from Bukuru Station when, at the Dogon Karfe level crossing, one tricycle that was anxious to pass didn’t wait until the train collided with it. Two people died instantly, while two others sustained injuries and are presently receiving treatment in the hospital,” he said.
He noted that NRC personnel are routinely positioned at level crossings to control movement and prevent such accidents, stressing that the unfortunate incident resulted from the operator’s disregard for safety instructions.
The deceased were identified as the tricycle driver and a male passenger, while two female passengers sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities have since appealed to road users to remain cautious and obey traffic and safety rules at railway crossings to prevent avoidable loss of lives.