Five persons, including four students and a commercial tricyclist, have died in a road crash which occurred on Tuesday morning around WOCDIF Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo, Osun State capital.
Newsmen gathered that the crash involved a blue coloured commercial bus with registration number RBC15ZN and a commercial tricycle.
Five passengers other passengers who sustained serious injuries in the crash were rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
Narrating what happened in a chat with the newsmen, an eyewitness said, “The 18 passenger bus coming from the stadium veered off its lane and collided the Keke NAPEP commercial tricycle and an okada commercial motorcycle coming from the Lameco end in front of Aurora Event Centre.
“I can confirm to you that no fewer than seven people including school children are now dead. It is sad.”
The cause of the accident and the level of damage is yet to be ascertained but Police personnel and men of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, were seen taking control of the situation.
The spokesperson of the Osun Sector Command of the FRSC, Ogungbemi Agnes, when contacted, confirmed the accident.
She however stated that the FRSC is still at the hospital trying to get the final report. However, she added that she will get back to the newsmen soon.
The state government has also reacted to the accident.
In a statement made available by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesman, on Tuesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke revealed that he was deeply hurt by the news of the deaths from the fatal accident.
Adeleke who expressed deep pain at the disturbing event, conveyed the heartfelt sympathy of the government and the people of the state to the families of those affected by the incident.
He also reiterated the call on road users to exercise caution and adhere strictly to safety guidance on roads.
The statement read, “I am distraught to hear about the terrible accident that resulted in the death of five people in Osogbo due to a fatal accident while five other people sustained injuries of varying degrees. It is really painful for me, and I want to use this avenue to commiserate with the families of the deceased.
“The State Government under me will work with relevant authorities to make our road more safer for road users.
“I commend the state’s emergency service for the swiftness in responding to mishap as the current incident. I declare the willingness of this administration to continue to pursue efforts to guide against an experience like this.
“It is my prayer that God Almighty repose their souls and give their loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses occasioned by their death. As a government, we will give the needed support to the injured and pray for their quick recoveries.”