Tragedy struck on Friday when a commercial bus somersaulted along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State, claiming six lives and leaving 19 passengers with various degrees of injuries.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at Osuponri Village, near the ICT Polytechnic in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area.
Confirming the accident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the crash was caused by a tyre burst while the vehicle was on top speed.
“A fatal accident occurred at Osuponri Village near ICT Polytechnic, inbound Itori, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. It involved a Toyota bus with registration number KJA 851 YH (grey colour). It was caused by a tyre burst and loss of control that led to the vehicle somersaulting,” Akinbiyi explained.
According to him, the Toyota bus was loaded with 27 occupants at the time of the crash. “Six people died, comprising two male adults, two female adults, and a male and female child, respectively. Nineteen people sustained injuries, including five male adults, nine female adults, one male child, and four female children,” he added.
He further disclosed that the remains of the deceased were deposited at the morgue of Ifo General Hospital, while the injured victims were rushed to the same hospital for treatment.
While sympathising with the bereaved families, Akinbiyi cautioned motorists against the use of expired or substandard tyres.
“In the words of the acting Head of TRACE, Cdr. Omonayajo Elias, drivers are hereby charged to avoid using fake and expired tyres in view of their attendant consequences,” he said.
