Petrol Tanker Driver, Assistant Die In Oyo Accident

Two persons comprising a petrol tanker driver and his assistant, popularly called motor boy, died in an accident that occurred on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Akinyemi Akinyinka who confirmed the incident, said the agency’s swift response averted a disaster in the state capital.

According to him, the incident was reported at exactly 05:01hrs on Tuesday through phone call by one Mr Moruf Balogun of a falling petrol tanker opposite Total Filling Station, Orita Challenge, Ibadan.

He said immediately the address was taken, the fire personnel led by ACFS Olubunmi Christy was promptly deployed to the scene of incident.

On arrival, he said the firemen noticed that incident involved a fallen petrol tanker that got engulfed opposite a petrol station.

“We swiftly swung into action and another fire truck led by ACFS Adekola was sent to assist the attending crew, so as avoid the fire from gaining unnecessary momentum that might led to serious fire disaster.

“The foam chemical compound was applied and the fire was put under control within short period,” Akinyinka said.

He added that the driver and his assistant who had been burnt were recovered and handed over to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who later conveyed them to the hospital.

“The driver and motor boy of the truck were burnt, recovered and handled over to the FRSC and they were conveyed to the hospital,” he said.

Akinyinka also added that firemen from Sumal Food Limited were also in attendance to assist, while the agency’s personnel were still at the scene doing cooling to completely extinguish the fire.

The incident was attributed to brake failure at the time the driver of the truck was trying to negotiate the roundabout opposite the Total Filling Station from where the truck hit the concrete barrier, somersaulted and caught fire.