Many burnt to death in Kwara auto crash

Many people were burnt to death on Friday afternoon in an auto crash at Oko-Olowo, along Ilorin-Jebba expressway, in Ilorin, Kwara state.

Unconfirmed sources put number of burnt accident victims at not less than 60 people, said to be traveling from northern part of the country.

Tribune Online gathered that the auto crash occurred when a trailer carrying fertilizer and petrol laden truck collided while overtaking, resulting in inferno.

It was a gory sight, as burnt skulls and other parts of human bodies like legs, arms, etc were seen being burnt inside the affected vehicles, while other parts of the victims had been burnt to ashes at the scene of the accident.

Eyewitnesses said that victims were burnt beyond recognition in the auto crash said to have occurred at about 8:30 am on Friday, adding that the affected vehicles burnt for over two hours.

It was gathered that no vehicles from both sides of the road could move while the incident lasted, to avoid being affected.

It was also learnt that officials of the state fire service arrived the scene at about 10:30 am after the losses to put out the raging fire.

One of the eyewitnesses of the incident, Sheu Arobadi, said that the trailer loaded with fertilizer tried to overtake petrol laden truck and the two vehicles collided on the sides, thus, resulting in an inferno.

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The eyewitness, who said that occupants on top of the trailer scampered for safety immediately the incident happened, added that so were the occupants of the truck carrying the fertilizer, who he said jumped from top of the vehicle to escape being caught up in the ensued flame.

“Many of the people suffered broken legs and arms as they were jumping down from the vehicles. A father had to throw one of his children out of the burning vehicles before he could also jump down. Those who sustained injuries and fractures had been rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention”, he said.

Arobadi, who said that he lives around the area, added that several road accident occurs at least once every week along the expressway, with heavy losses of lives and property.

Residents of the area called on government to find lasting solution to the frequent occurrence of crashes along the road, while suggesting construction of overhead bridge to check the development.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE