In a devastating incident, a total of 14 individuals lost their lives while 13 others sustained injuries in a fatal accident that occurred at Aloma community in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The accident took place on Sunday and involved a Toyota Sienna bus traveling from Port Harcourt to Abuja, and a Toyota Hiace bus heading towards the Southern part of the country.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened when the two commercial Toyota buses collided head-on. Tragically, the Hiace bus, including its 13 occupants and the driver, were engulfed in flames and completely burnt. Out of the four surviving individuals in the bus, one succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to 14.
Fortunately, none of the 10 occupants in the Sienna bus lost their lives, but they suffered severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. The injured victims were promptly rescued by villagers who rushed to the scene of the accident. Their timely intervention prevented the Sienna bus from also catching fire.
The eyewitnesses attributed the cause of the accident to overspeeding and the presence of potholes along a bend close to Government Science Secondary School, Aloma. The impact of the collision was so severe that it took rescuers three hours to extricate the Sienna bus driver, whose legs were severely damaged.
When contacted, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Samuel Oyediji, confirmed the incident but stated that he was yet to receive detailed information from the unit commander in that area.
This tragic accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of overspeeding and the need for regular road maintenance. The loss of 14 lives is a heartbreaking event that has deeply affected the community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.
It is important for drivers to exercise caution, adhere to speed limits, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on any journey. Authorities should also prioritize road maintenance and address the issue of potholes to enhance road safety and prevent such tragic accidents from occurring in the future.
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