9th September, 2012
No fewer than 12 persons were on Saturday burnt beyond recognition while three others sustained serious injuries in a ghastly accident along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway.
The accident was caused by a collision between a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Ajetunmobi motors and a Mack Truck.
A witness said the two drivers, who were coming from Lagos, were on a top speed, competing with each other on the road before the Toyota bus lost control and collided with the truck a few metres away from the Ososa bridge.
Mr Isa Seidu, the Ijebu-Ode Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who confirmed the accident, said that over speeding was the cause.
Seidu gave the registration number of the Toyota Hiace bus as registration number XA 650 DBN and the Mac Truck with registration number LG 35 BBG.
He explained that the driver of the Toyota Hiace who was coming from Lagos to Akure, was on full speed, competing with the Truck driver before he collided with the truck and burst into flames.
In his comments, on the incident, Mr Hamsat Tommy, the Ijebu Zonal Commander, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, said that the 12 bodies had been taken to General hospital, Ijebu-Ode.
Tommy said they had a hectic day controlling traffic along the three bridges of Odogbolu and Ososa on the express.
Another accident which claimed many lives was also reported to have occurred along the popular J4 on the same express way.
It was gathered that a 14 passenger bus travelling to Ondo State, ran into the river along the express, with no survivor
The Ijebu-Ode unit commander of FRSC also confirmed the accident.
He said that the number of casualties was yet to be ascertained because rescue operation was still ongoing.
Seidu, noted that the rescue effort was slow because the command lacked necessary equipment to bring the people out of the river.
“It was indeed a sad and busy day for us. We were trying to rescue those that plunged into the river when they informed us about the explosion at Ososa bridge“
He, however, urged passengers to always caution drivers whenever they noticed recklessness on his part, adding that the two accidents were caused by over speeding.