FIVE people have been confirmed dead, while several other passengers were trapped on Saturday after a fully loaded diesel tanker collided with four vehicles in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
News Point Nigeria reports that the fatal crash occurred at Aduloju Bus Stop, directly opposite Dominion City, along the busy Iwo Road–Ojoo Expressway, leaving four Nissan Micra cars badly mangled and passengers trapped in the wreckage.
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Eyewitnesses said the diesel tanker, which was travelling at high speed, lost control and rammed into the four Nissan Micra cars carrying passengers.
The impact left the cars severely damaged, with victims trapped inside the wreckage as bystanders struggled to pull them out.
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“It was a terrible sight. People were trapped and screaming inside the Micra cars. The tanker just crushed them before they could escape,” an eyewitness said.
Officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) attributed the accident to suspected brake failure, saying the tanker driver had lost control of the articulated vehicle.
Operatives of OYRTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police Force were quickly mobilised to the scene to rescue trapped passengers and prevent a secondary explosion.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were still ongoing, while the bodies of the deceased were being evacuated to the morgue and the injured were being taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities have urged motorists travelling along the Iwo Road–Ojoo axis to drive with caution and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.
