A tragic incident on Sunday evening saw one individual confirmed deceased and several others sustaining injuries after a commercial bus, carrying 21 passengers, crashed and subsequently erupted in flames on the Oko-Olowo Expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Details of the Accident
The fatal crash occurred near Iye-Maja Junction. Reports indicate that the bus, bearing registration number DTH840SA, experienced a tyre puncture while in motion. This mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which then somersaulted violently before igniting.
The Kwara State Fire Service officially confirmed the incident on Monday. According to its public relations officer, Hassan Adekunle, the fire service received a distress call at approximately 6:35 pm and swiftly dispatched personnel to the scene to commence emergency operations.
Firefighters and emergency responders worked quickly to evacuate the passengers from the burning vehicle. Those who had sustained injuries were promptly transported to a nearby hospital to receive urgent medical attention. Regrettably, one person was pronounced dead at the site of the crash.
Call for Road Safety
Alabi Muhammed, the Chief Fire Officer, extended his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and conveyed wishes for a swift recovery to all the injured victims.
In light of the incident, the Chief Fire Officer issued a critical advisory to all motorists, particularly operators of commercial vehicles. He urged them to prioritise thorough vehicle maintenance and ensure their vehicles are in a roadworthy condition before embarking on any journey. Alabi specifically recommended that drivers regularly inspect their tyres, braking systems, electrical components, and other vital parts of their vehicles. Such routine checks are essential for early detection of potential faults, thereby preventing road emergencies.
Furthermore, he implored motorists to exercise extreme caution when travelling on highways and to report any emergencies to the relevant response agencies without delay. The Kwara State Fire Service reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promptly responding to emergencies and safeguarding lives and property throughout the state.