A total of 12 persons have been confirmed dead in a fatal road traffic crash involving three vehicles at Peke, along Olooru-Okoolowo, Ogbomoso Route, in Kwara.

Those involved in the accident included 21 males and one female, out of whom 12 got burnt and sadly lost their lives, while the remaining 10 sustained various degrees of injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Kwara sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, confirmed the unfortunate accident.

Mr Dawulung said that the burnt corpses were given a mass burial with the authority of the Hausa Community of Okoolowo.

“On receiving the report of the crash, our operatives at Olooru Unit Command were immediately mobilised to the crash scene for rescue.

“Vehicles involved in the accident were a petrol tanker, a trailer and an 18-seater bus following a route violation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the empty IVECO tanker coming from Okoolowo committed route violations en route Ogbomoso, which led to a head-on collision with the oncoming DAF truck, which ignited the fire,” he said.

The sector commander said that the bus, which was on its way to Katsina, was behind the DAF truck, but due to the driver’s excessive speed, he couldn’t stop and rammed into the crash.

He deeply sympathised with the families of the dead and wished the injured a quick recovery.

Mr Dawulung advised drivers to avoid taking the wrong lanes, driving at excessive speeds on night journeys, and ensuring they maintain a safe distance between vehicles ahead to enable them to manoeuvre whenever the need arises.

He reiterated that investigation officers had commenced a full investigation into the crash, assuring that the command was committed to discharging its responsibilities in ensuring the safety of all road users. 

(NAN)