Ondo Road Accident Claims 13 Lives; One Rescued Alive
From Our Correspondent
A devastating auto crash on Saturday morning along the Owo-Ikare highway in Ondo State resulted in the tragic loss of at least 13 lives. The incident occurred at Abule Panu, near Ose Bridge, around 10:14 am.
Reports indicate that the accident involved a head-on collision between two buses, which subsequently caught fire, leading to the victims being burned beyond recognition.
An eyewitness revealed that a tire burst on one of the buses, which was traveling from the Ikare direction, causing the driver to lose control and collide with a bus carrying fabrics from the opposite direction.
Ibitoye Samuel, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed that 14 people were involved in the crash.
He stated that 13 individuals died at the scene, while one person was rescued alive but suffered severe injuries.
“After the collision, both buses caught fire immediately. Emergency responders, including FRSC officials, the Police, and the Fire Service, arrived promptly,” Samuel reported.
The injured survivor was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, while the remains of the deceased were transported to the hospital morgue.
Commander Samuel urged drivers to prioritize vehicle maintenance and to drive with caution, emphasizing the importance of passengers speaking out against reckless driving. “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he stressed.