Tragedy struck on Tuesday morning along the Ojoo-Iwo Road section of the Ibadan-Lagos expressway, near the Agbowo/Ajao area, resulting in the loss of at least 16 lives and leaving 17 others injured.
The accident occurred when a trailer loaded with roofing sheets experienced brake failure, colliding with an 18-seater Toyota bus, a Micra taxi, and a Honda CR-V car, all traveling in the same direction.
Eyewitnesses, including Mr. Emmanuel Omotoso and Mrs. Funmi Adejumo, reported that the trailer’s brake failure led to a devastating crash, which could have been exacerbated by the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The construction had blocked one lane of the expressway, potentially contributing to the severity of the accident, according to the eyewitnesses.
Motorists appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide heavy towing vehicles and ambulance buses for rescue operations in emergency situations like this.
They also called on the contractor handling the road construction to open up the blocked lane to prevent future occurrences.
Private heavy towing vehicles played a crucial role in removing trapped vehicles from the scene, and some rescued passengers were transported to the hospital for medical attention.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Oyo State, Roseline Alo, confirmed the accident, reporting that 16 people died and 17 were injured.
Alo stated that the injured were taken to the hospital for medical attention, while two people escaped unhurt.
She also revealed that the driver of the trailer involved in the accident fled the scene.
