9 Killed, 5 Injured In Gombe Road Crash

At least nine people have died in a road crash on the Kaltungo–Cham Road in Kaluwa community, Gombe State.

The crash resulted from a collision of a trailer and a commercial Sharon bus.

The sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Samson Kaura, confirmed the incident yesterday.He said the crash occurred at about 8:33 a.m. in Kaltungo local government area.

Kaura, who spoke with journalists, said 18 people were involved in the crash, with five passengers sustaining varying degrees of injuries, while four others escaped unhurt.

He said the injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Kaltungo, for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Preliminary investigations by the FRSC attributed the crash to excessive speed and brake failure, compounded by the sloppy nature of the road.

“The trailer was descending at high speed on a slope when it lost control and rammed into the Sharon bus from behind, causing the bus to somersault,” he explained.

He warned motorists to exercise caution, particularly on hilly and winding roads, stressing that speeding significantly increases the risk of fatal crashes.

“We have consistently advised drivers to avoid excessive speed, especially on roads with difficult terrain. Motorists must drive at a speed they can control to prevent needless loss of lives and property.”

The FRSC commander further urged drivers to conduct thorough vehicle checks before embarking on journeys, especially during the ongoing yuletide season, when traffic volumes are high.