5 killed, scores wounded in Ibadan trailer accident

No fewer than five people were killed in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, as a low-bed truck carrying a container crushed a micra car, a tricycle and others, leaving scores of people critically injured.

The accident, which occurred at New Garage area of Oluyole Local Government Area of the state at about 7:00 p.m., was said to have been caused by failure of the brake of the truck with the registration number Lagos XV 59 KSF.

An eye witness said the micra car was loaded with passengers and was about moving when the truck rammed into it, along with the tricycle which was already trapped in its front.

When Sunday Tribune got to the scene, the truck’s head was seen at the entrance of one of the lock-up shops beside Alao-Akala road, with part of the crushed tricycle lying under it.

One of those killed, Sunday Tribune was told by an eye witness, was a woman selling hot drinks in front of the shop.

The woman’s severed head was sighted smashed under the truck, while part of her left foot with the five toes intact was seen in one of the sandals she was wearing before the tragedy struck.

It was gathered that three people who rushed into the shop as well as the occupants of the shop escaped, but were said to be in serious shock.

The driver, an eye witness said, was shouting ‘brake failure’ before he rammed the truck into the shop.

The Divisional Police Officer of Orita Divisional Police Headquarters, Olu Akinmoladun and his men cordoned off the scene to prevent hoodlums from coming close  and looting victims’ belongings. The bodies of casualties were said to have been deposited at the mortuary in Adeoyo Hospital, while the injured were said to be receiving treatment at the hospital.

Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu to confirm the incident did not succeed as telephone calls put to his line were not answered, just as he did not respond to a text message sent.