By TRAGEDY struck in the early hours of Tuesday at Soka Junction, Ibadan, when an articulated truck, popularly known as a trailer, reportedly suffered brake failure and ploughed into five fully loaded Micra taxis, leaving a yet-to-be-confirmed number of passengers dead.
According to an official of the Oyo State Transport Management Agency (OYTMA), who spoke with our reporter at the scene, only one person was pulled out alive from the wreckage and is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
One of the trailers involved in the accident
The fatal crash, which occurred around 7:00 a.m., involved two trailers and five Micra taxis believed to be conveying early morning commuters from the Iwo Road axis.
Both trailers were said to have been extensively damaged due to the force of the collision.
The gridlock of over two hours stretching Muslim junction to Soka
Emergency responders, including road safety officials and security agents, battled for hours to clear the scene and evacuate the victims.
The corpses were conveyed to an undisclosed morgue, while the sole survivor was taken to a hospital for urgent medical attention.
The incident led to a severe traffic gridlock on both sides of the expressway, causing long delays for commuters.
It wasn’t until around 10:00 a.m. that vehicular movement gradually resumed after the damaged taxis were removed.
However, the trailers involved remained at the scene as of the time of filing this report.
A crowd of sympathisers and shocked passersby gathered at the scene, with many lamenting the tragic loss of lives and calling for stricter regulations on articulated vehicles in urban centres.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but investigations into the cause of the accident are expected to commence immediately.
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