Devastating Crash at Owo-Ikare Highway Leaves 13 Dead, 1 Survivor
At least 13 people were tragically killed in a horrific auto crash on the Owo-Ikare highway in Ondo State on Saturday morning, while one individual managed to survive with serious injuries. The accident occurred at approximately 10:14 am near Abule Panu, just before the Ose Bridge, when two buses collided head-on.
The two buses, which were both heavily loaded with passengers, burst into flames after the collision, leaving 13 victims burnt beyond recognition. According to reports, the collision was triggered by a tyre burst on one of the buses, which was coming from the Ikare direction. The sudden tyre failure caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to a tragic head-on crash with an oncoming bus that was carrying fabrics from the opposite direction.
An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic, with the flames quickly engulfing both buses, leaving no time for many passengers to escape. The intense heat and fire made identification of the victims difficult, and the bodies were severely burnt. Only one person survived the crash, though the individual was critically injured and was promptly rescued by emergency responders.
The Ondo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ibitoye Samuel, confirmed the tragic accident. He stated that 14 people were involved in the crash, with 13 confirmed dead and the lone survivor in serious condition. The survivor was quickly transported to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, where medical personnel began treating the injuries.
Emergency teams, including FRSC personnel, the Police, and the Fire Service, responded swiftly to the scene, working together to manage the aftermath and rescue the injured survivor. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the morgue at the same hospital for identification and further processing.
In response to the devastating incident, Ibitoye Samuel urged drivers to exercise more caution when navigating the roads, emphasizing the importance of vehicle maintenance and patience. He also encouraged passengers to speak out against reckless driving and highlighted that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers on Nigerian roads and the urgent need for both drivers and passengers to prioritize safety. With the holiday season approaching, authorities have stressed the importance of adhering to road safety measures to avoid further loss of lives.
As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, the incident has left many in Ondo State and beyond in shock and mourning. The authorities have promised to continue working toward improving safety measures on the state’s roads to prevent such tragedies in the future.
