Tragedy In Ondo As Truck Crushes 8 To Death

At least 19 people were reportedly in Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government area of Ondo State, on Wednesday evening, when a trailer loaded with cement allegedly lost control and rammed into some shops.

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered from a source that the trailer lost its brakes and rammed into some shops along the main street of the town, crushing the people to death on the spot.

It was learnt that the accident occurred near the popular Holy Trinity Church in the ancient town.

An eyewitness who preferred anonymity told LEADERSHIP Friday that the accident had thrown the university community into mourning.

The source hinted that the “Trailer was coming from up, and we couldn’t say if the barricades were opened because some people said the trailer destroyed the barricade. Like, five people have died, while we don’t know how many are under the trailer.

“The driver lost control of the truck and swerved off the road and rammed into the shops along the road, killing the victims.”

As of the time of this report, LEADERSHIP gathered that the rescue operations were ongoing.

Also, security agencies had yet to confirm the exact number of casualties.

LEADERSHIP Friday also learnt that one of the casualties, a pregnant woman whose lifeless body was removed from under the truck, was yet to be identified.

The remains of the deceased were said to have been deposited at the morgue of a hospital in the town.

The Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Samuel Ibitoye, who confirmed the incident when contacted, said the accident involved a truck loaded with bags of cement.

He said, “The incident involved a truck that ran into a barricade in front of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and lost control, resulting in the crash. No fewer than eight people were killed, comprising five males, two females and one male child.”

Meanwhile, Ondo state Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has visited the scene of the accident that claimed eight people in Akungba Akoko in Akoko Southwest local government area.

Aiyedatiwa, who commiserated with the victims’ families, the Alale of Akungba Akoko, Oba Isiaka Oseni, described the accident as “unfortunate news with rude shock.”

Represented by his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, Governor Aiyedatiwa said, “We received the unfortunate news with rude shock and as a government we are deeply saddened. Kabiyesi, we commiserate with you, and the entire people of Akungba Akoko”

The governor also went to the accident scene, where he met with students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and some locals.

“We feel your pain,” he said to a crowd of mourners, saying the incident was preventable if motorists adhered to traffic regulations and highway codes.

The governor revealed that plans have been concluded to restore the barricade and other obstructions that were damaged by the long vehicle and ensure strict compliance with traffic instructions along the Ikare-Akungba highway.