No fewer 13 persons have been confirmed dead in a road accident along Owo/Ikare highway in Ondo State.
The accident involved two commercial buses loaded with commuters and fabric materials.
According to an eyewitness account, one of the vehicles coming from Ikare towards Owo had a burst tyre while on high speed which led to the driver losing control and had a head-on collision with the other coming from the opposite side.
The two vehicles were said to have caught fire immediately and 13 out of the 14 occupants of both vehicles involved were burnt beyond recognition.
Men of FRSC, Fire Service and police were said to have rescued and taken the only survivor to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
The remains of the 13 who were burnt beyond recognition were also retrieved from the scene of the accident and deposited at the morgue of the same medical facility.
Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) Ondo State, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye said: “The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.
“The fatal crash, which occurred at about 10:14 am, claimed thirteen lives of commuters in two buses.
“A total of 14 people were involved out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.
“The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue. The injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.”
Dr. Ibitoye, therefore, advised motorists to be patient on the road and ensure the maintenance of their vehicles before hitting the road.
Likewise, he charged commuters to also speak out whenever they observed drivers of the vehicles they board is driving dangerously for the safety of their lives and other road users.
