Tragedy struck on Wednesday in Gbongan community, Osun State, when two persons lost their lives while 15 others were injured in a lone auto crash involving a cattle laden DAF truck at Iwo Road junction.
The accident which occurred around 8:26 a.m was said to have caused panic among residents and passersby around Iwo Road junction, on the stretch of Akoda-Gbongan dual carriage way.
This disclosure was made in a statement issued by the Public Education Officer (PEO) of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Osun State command, Agnes Ogungbemi, on behalf of the sector commander, Mr. Leye Adegboyega.
According to the statement, preliminary investigation indicated that the crashed truck was loaded with 70 animals—including cows, goats, and sheep—as well as human passengers seated atop the animals. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Kebbi State en route to Ikire, Osun State.
Some of the passengers hinted that the driver had dozed off behind the wheel on at least two occasions after the truck passed Osogbo, adding that on reaching the Surprise Hotel area in Gbongan, the driver allegedly fell asleep again.
The statement reads, “As a result, the truck veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch, overturning and violently ejecting both animals and passengers.
“Two fatalities were recorded at the scene, while 15 other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured were promptly transported to a Adeoye Medical Centre, Gbongan for medical attention.
“Two injured victims and one dead body were taken to Adeoye Medical Centre, Gbongan and 13 injured victims and another corpse were taken to Ariremako Medical Centre l, Gbongan while the crashed vehicle was taken over by NPF Gbongan
“The sector commander warns that all vehicles that are not road worthy should be off the highway .He also implored all motorists to drive carefully, “the statement concluded.
Guardian